Michael
Robinson’s look at the college football
weekend: The Michigan Wolverines are suddenly
the darlings of college football after a 47-21
win at Notre Dame. This week, they are a 13.5
point home favorite as they take on Big 10 rival,
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is 3-0 under new
coach, Bret Bielema. Bielema has the unenviable
task of replacing a legend in Barry Alvarez, and
dealing with being the second youngest head coach
in Division I at 36 years-old.
While wins over Bowling Green,
Western Illinois, and San Diego State have helped
advance Bielema’s aging process, a game
against Michigan can make you as nervous as a
kindergartener on the first day of school.
Wisconsin is led by Senior
quarterback John Stocco. Stocco has improved every
year, and is one of the most underrated players
in the Big 10. So far this season though, the
Badgers have concentrated on the run game with
P.J. Hill, a bruising redshirt freshman who has
filled in terrifically for the departed Brian
Calhoun.
Michigan’s win over
the Irish propelled them from 11th to 6th in the
AP poll. Their front four is the strength of the
team, and they completely shut down the Notre
Dame rushing attack. Hill will not be able to
run wild in this game, and that means a lot of
pressure will fall on Stocco. The problem is that
his top three receivers from last year are all
gone.
On offense, Michigan should
be able to run the ball successfully with Mike
Hart, and quarterback Chad Henne’s confidence
is very high after a solid effort last week.
One thing Wisconsin has going
for them is the recent history between the teams.
They won 23-20 at home last year, and the last
five meetings have been decided by a touchdown
or less. Michigan has to avoid a letdown after
such an emotional game last week, but they are
motivated by last year’s defeat.
Other marquee match-ups on
Saturday have top ranked Ohio
State as a 16.5 point home favorite over Penn
State. Penn State is ranked 24th in the
nation even after losing by 24 points to Notre
Dame earlier in the season. The Nittany Lions
killed themselves in that game with turnovers
and missed opportunities.
Boston
College (3-0) is a 6.5 point favorite at NC State
as they look to avoid their third straight double
overtime win. The Eagles would much prefer to
get a win in regulation over a struggling NC State
(1-2) squad. The Wolfpack beat Division 1-AA Appalachian
State, and have losses to Akron and Southern Miss.
In the Pac-10, USC (2-0)
tries to continue its dominant start as a 21.5
point road favorite versus Arizona. The
Trojans have shown no signs of a fall-off this
year despite the graduation of many of their high
profile players. The Wildcats (2-1) have wins
over BYU and Division 1-AA Stephen F. Austin,
and a 42 point loss at LSU.
Finally, Notre Dame
(2-1) tries to bounce back this week with a win
over Michigan State (3-0). A lot hangs in the
balance for the Irish, including staying alive
for a national championship bid. They are also
trying to avenge a 44-41 loss last year to the
Spartans. Notre
Dame is a 2.5 point favorite.
For all College Football
betting lines, visit VIP.com
Posted by miker at September
22ND, 2006 10:30 AM
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