Announcement

**wayne1218** · 09-18-2004, 01:17 PM

By Tony Granieri
Scouts, Inc.

The SEC's two best teams over the last 10 years meet on Saturday. The annual
mid-September showdown between Florida and Tennessee is usually an early
indication of who might represent the East Division in the conference title
game. The Gators and Volunteers have combined for 11 appearances in the
conference championship since the SEC adopted two-divisional play 12 seasons
ago.
Game Information

vs.
Who: Florida (9) vs. Tennessee (13)
When: Sat., 8:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

This year's contest will take on added meaning with two brothers battling for
bragging rights. Florida QB Chris Leak and Tennessee's jack-of-all-trades C.J.
Leak will finally get the chance to square off.
Although the much anticipated quarterback duel was spoiled when C.J. lost his
position to the Vols' co-No. 1 freshmen signal callers Brent Schaeffer and Erik
Ainge, there is still much at stake between these two siblings. Can Chris avenge
the Gators' 24-10 loss last year or will C.J. help the Volunteers make it two
straight over Florida?
When Florida has the ball
Florida run offense vs. Tennessee run defense
The Gators have shown a much greater commitment to balance on offense since Ron
Zook took over the head coaching duties. Look for the Gators to try to establish
their running game. RBs Ciatrick Fason and Skyler Thornton will split time in
the backfield, but neither is strong between the tackles, which could spell
trouble working against a very physical Tennessee defense.
The offensive line has very little experience playing together and still lacks
ideal toughness. Tennessee's defense will operate out of a 4-3 front and is led
by a talented group of linebackers, including WLB Kevin Burnett.
Advantage: Tennessee
Florida offense vs. Tennessee pass defense
Although Zook is a firm believer in controlling the clock, expect the Gators to
take more chances in the passing game now that Leak has a year of experience
under his belt. Leak completed 16 of 25 passes for 244 yards and a career-high
three touchdowns last week. He should have similar success working against a
Tennessee secondary that returns just one starter from a year ago.
The Gators will likely spread things out against the Volunteers' inexperienced
secondary in an attempt to create some favorable matchups. WRs O.J. Small and
Andre Caldwell have great speed and can stretch Tennessee's defense, but the
Gators need to find a capable possession receiver who can help keep the chains
moving. The most likely candidate to fill that void will be Dallas Baker.
Advantage: Florida
When Tennessee has the ball
Tennessee run offense vs. Florida run defense
Florida's defense flies to the ball, but isn't very strong at the point of
attack. The Gators may have some trouble slowing down Tennessee's explosive
one-two punch of RBs Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs. The Volunteers will be
rotating two freshmen quarterbacks into the game. The passing attack will have
to be effective to prevent Florida from stacking the line of scrimmage. As a
result, the onus will fall on QBs Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge to keep the
Gators honest.

Florida will look to rattle Tennesse's young signal-callers.
The edge upfront goes to Tennessee, as OC Jason Respert and LOT Michael Munoz
are two of the best linemen in the conference. The Volunteers' talented
offensive line should have little trouble against Florida's undersized defensive
line.
Advantage: Tennessee
Tennessee pass offense vs. Florida pass defense
Schaeffer and Ainge are talented, but their inexperience may be exposed. The
Gators will come after them early and often. Florida has one of the most
athletic defenses in the country, and should be able to rattle Tennessee's young
quarterbacks early in this game. Once Schaeffer and Ainge start to feel the
pressure, they could start to force some things down the field. Look for a
couple of ill-advised throws to give Florida the edge it needs to keep
Tennessee's passing attack in check.
Advantage: Florida
Special teams
Both teams feature great kicking games but lack explosiveness in the return
game. Florida PK Matt Leach and PT Eric Wilbur are two of the best in the SEC.
Leach has a big leg while Wilbur has the look of a future All-American.
Tennessee PT Dustin Colquitt is as good as they come and will probably play on
Sundays next year. He punted three times against UNLV for an average of 51.3
yards, and his ability to change field position quickly has made him an
important weapon for the Volunteers. PK James Wilhot is consistent, but lacks
ideal range. He could struggle to connect on any field goal attempts beyond 40
yards.
Advantage: Tennessee
Bottom line
This SEC East rivalry has championship implications and neither team can afford
an early conference loss. Georgia is favored to win the division again so the
loser of this game will need a ton of help the rest of the way. The Volunteers
have one of the best running games in the nation, but their inexperience at
quarterback and secondary will catch up with them.
Florida will come after Tennessee's freshmen signal callers with a heavy blitz
scheme and should have success rattling the youngsters. If they can force a
couple of turnovers, the Gators should be able to open things up. With Chris
Leak under center and a stable of talented wide receivers, Florida has the
personnel to exploit the Volunteers' secondary.

Prediction: Florida 28, Tennessee 24

**wayne1218** · 09-18-2004, 01:19 PM

By Todd McShay
Scouts, Inc.

There is no conference or in-state affiliation between these two programs, but
it hasn't prevented the annual Notre Dame-Michigan State game from becoming one
of the most heated rivalries in all of college football. The Fighting Irish lead
the all-time series 42-24-1 but Michigan State has chipped into that
differential by winning six of the last seven meetings, including a 22-16
victory at Notre Dame last season.
Game Information

vs.

Who: Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
When: Sat., 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

Tyrone Willingham and the Fighting Irish have already experienced an emotional
roller coaster in the first two games of the 2004 season. A loss at BYU to the
unranked Cougars spawned discussion of Willingham's possible firing. Now,
following the upset of Michigan, expectations are skyrocketing.
With the emergence of freshman RB Darius Walker and the development of QB Brady
Quinn, the Irish will continue to improve on a weekly basis and should be bowl
bound come December.
Michigan State head coach John L. Smith faces the challenge of replacing 14
starters, including QB Jeff Smoker. The Spartans started the season with an
embarrassing loss at Rutgers, but rebounded with a win last week over Central
Michigan.
The team may have found its starting quarterback in Stephen Reaves, who
impressed in his debut last week. However, with very few difference makers on
offense, and a defense that has been decimated by injuries, the Spartans face an
uphill climb on Saturday night.
Notre Dame is favored to win for the second time in as many road games. After
failing to live up to expectations in its season-opening loss at BYU, the Irish
must take advantage of the momentum built in last week's win.
While Michigan State is clearly rebuilding, the Spartans have always relished
the role of spoiler in this 67-game series. They shouldn't be counted out in
front of their home crowd.
Key individual matchups
1. Notre Dame WR Rhema McKnight vs. Michigan State LDC Jaren Hayes
McKnight leads the team with 11 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. The
Irish were supposed to have good depth at the position with McKnight, Maurice
Stovall and Carlyle Holiday, but McKnight has been the only consistent receiver.

McKnight is bigger, faster and more experienced than Hayes, who is just 5-9, 186
pounds and is in his first year as a starter. Hayes continues to improve with
experience. However, he just doesn't have the savvy, size or speed to be trusted
one-on-one on the perimeter against McKnight.
The Spartans will need to give Hayes help in the form of "bracket" from time to
time. As a result, Quinn will have favorable matchups on the other side of the
field.
2. Notre Dame RB Darius Walker vs. Michigan State ILB Ronald Stanley
In his college debut last Saturday, Walker rushed for 115 yards on 31 carries
and scored two touchdowns against a stout Michigan defense. Walker was held out
of the opener against BYU because Willingham didn't feel the freshman was ready.
After his breakthrough performance last week, it's going to be difficult to keep
him off the field.
Stanley, who has been a starting linebacker since his true freshman season in
2001, spent his first two seasons at the "weakside" linebacker position before
moving to middle linebacker in 2003. He continues to get bigger and stronger,
but does not have great change of direction skills and still struggles to take
on blocks.
Because of the problems Michigan State is having up front defensively, the Irish
should be able to consistently release a lineman downfield. If that's the case,
look for Walker to have another impressive performance.
3. Michigan State WR Kyle Brown vs. Notre Dame DC Preston Jackson
Inconsistency at the quarterback position has made things difficult on the
Michigan State receivers, but Brown has done his part with seven receptions for
133 yards and one touchdown. Brown has just adequate size, but has excellent
speed and shows the ability to get downfield.
Jackson isn't the biggest cornerback and this is his first year as a fulltime
starter. However, he has emerged as an absolute playmaker in the Irish's first
two games. Jackson has the speed to turn and run with Brown, which could limit
the Spartan's ability to stretch the field.
When the Irish play a cover-2 and allow Jackson to face the young quarterback,
the Irish have an advantage. If Jackson can limit Brown and disrupt Reaves'
timing, Notre Dame's defense should be in good shape.
Notre Dame's keys to success
1. Hit the road running

The Irish will focus on establishing their running game.
The Irish got an unexpected boost from Walker last week and there's no reason to
go away from him on Saturday night. Michigan State's defense has allowed an
average of 205 yards in its first two games against Rutgers and Central
Michigan.
While the team has moved to a West Coast offense, the offensive line seems to be
more comfortable playing the role of maulers in the running game. The Spartans
have good size along their defensive line with DT Kevin Vickerson (295 pounds),
NT Brandon McKinney (320 pounds) and DE Clifton Ryan (288 pounds), but these
players have not played up to their potential.
2. Make the Spartans one-dimensional
Notre Dame's defense has been stout against the run, giving up an average of
just 1.2 yards per carry in the first two games. Led by ILB Mike Goolsby, its
front-seven has shown good consistency.
Reaves played well last week against Central Michigan, but the pressures of
starting his first collegiate game against Notre Dame on national television
will make Saturday night a much different experience. The Irish need to put the
pressure squarely on the redshirt freshman's shoulders.
The Irish should be able to keep the Spartans' running game in check without
having to overextend its safeties in support. Look for them to crowd the line as
much as possible -- at least until Reaves proves he's up for the challenge
3. Key special teams play early
A big factor in Willingham's impressive debut season at Notre Dame were the big
plays from the special teams unit. While the Irish are still looking for
explosiveness in the return game, it was a blocked punt that swung the momentum
of last week's game.
Notre Dame could use another big play from its special teams in order to break
Michigan State's confidence. If the Irish are to get that boost from the return
game this week, Holiday could be the guy on a punt return.
Michigan State's keys to success
1. QB Stephen Reaves' poise
Reaves is a strong-armed southpaw with very good accuracy as a passer. He is not
a great athlete, but does buy second chance passing opportunities with his feet.
He does a good job of overcoming his lack of size by moving around to create
passing windows.
While Reaves gives the Spartans the best chance to win this year, he still has a
lot of room to improve in terms of his decision-making and overall consistency.
He completed just 9 of 19 passing attempts last week and the challenge will be
to improve his efficiency against a significantly better defense.
2. Impact plays from Clifford Dukes
Dukes, who is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained in spring
practice, has yet to make the impact that was expected of him. Dukes had 57
total tackles and seven sacks as a junior in 2003, but has just two tackles and
one sack this season. When Dukes is healthy, he is an explosive playmaker who
can provide a lot of impact plays.
Dukes missed the second half of last week's game with a tight leg muscle and
might not make it through the entire four quarters. If the Spartans are to have
any chance of pulling off the upset on Saturday night, Dukes needs to return to
form and become a menace.
3. Defensive takeaways
The Spartans made up for a lot of sins on defense in 2003 by finishing with 45
sacks and 29 takeaways. After just two games against marginally talented
programs, the defense has just two sacks and one turnover.
When Notre Dame has the ball
The Irish have been waiting for a breakout performance on offense. It was a
freshman running back who sparked the offensive explosion last week against a
formidable Michigan defense. Walker's quickness, change of direction ability and
open-field burst provided the Irish with an element they had been missing.
Ryan Grant should be close to 100-percent healthy on Saturday night and will
remain part of the equation, but his role will be decreased significantly.
The offensive line is a veteran group with four returning starters. There has
been some shuffling from last year's unit, but the line has only given up three
sacks in two games and showed great tenacity in the running game.
While Michigan State's defense has good size and experience, it has been
trampled by two pedestrian rushing attacks. Depth is clearly a problem at
defensive tackle, as this unit looks like it wears down late into games.
Vickerson is the best run-stopper of the group, but the rest of the rotating
defensive tackles have been pushed around too much.
Furthermore, the injury to starting ILB Seth Mitchell has forced some youngsters
to grow up quickly, including freshman Kaleb Thornhill. The Irish should
emphasize the running game from the start.
If the Irish can establish a solid rushing attack, it will really put the
pressure on Michigan State's defense to start cheating up safeties and crowding
the box. That's when Quinn should find a lot more favorable matchups to work
against in the passing game.
Willingham's West Coast offense features a majority of horizontal routes, but if
the Irish can get the man-to-man matchups they are looking for on the perimeter,
they will likely take some shots vertically. Michigan State's secondary is the
most experienced unit on this team, with three returning starters.
Safeties Eric Smith and Jason Harmon are active players. If the Spartans elect
to cheat one of the two in order to better support the run, SS Smith will be the
one to go. Assuming Michigan State uses Harmon to help Hayes in his matchup
against McKnight, Quinn will look to exploit the one-on-one matchup between
Stovall (6-5, 221 pounds) and CB Dwight Ellick (5-10, 185).
Notre Dame special teams
The Irish got a big punt block in last week's win against the Wolverines and
will look to repeat the magic on Saturday night against a Michigan State punt
team that has already allowed a blocked punt in its first two games. But the
Spartans hold an overall edge on special teams.
D.J. Fitzpatrick, who averaged 36.8 yards per punt and connected on 12-of-17
field goal attempts in 2003, continues to handle both roles in 2004. He has
connected on his only field goal attempt (21) of the season and he also has
improved his punting average to 40.6 yards.
The return game has potential with Carlyle Holiday handling the punts and Chase
Anatasio handling the kickoffs, but so far the Irish have yet to break one for a
score. Holiday has averaged 10 yards on seven punt returns, while Anastasio has
averaged 22 yards on four kickoff returns.
When Michigan State has the ball
Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin employs a one-back, spread attack designed to
stretch defenses. Baldwin does a great job of adjusting his play-calling to what
the defense is giving him.
With three new starters up front, two new starters at wide receiver, a new
starting running back and a redshirt freshman quarterback, this offense is
clearly a work in progress. The Spartans have run the ball more than usual as a
result of the inexperience at quarterback.
While Reaves certainly has the tools to develop into a fine starter in the
future, he has a big challenge ahead of him on Saturday night against.

Michigan State's receivers must make tough catches to help their young
quarterback.
Look for the Spartans to work their spread attack in an attempt to get Notre
Dame into their nickel personnel. For starters, it will limit what the Irish can
do in terms of blitzing the young quarterback. It also will create a lot more
favorable fronts to run the ball against. If Reaves is to keep his team in this
game, he not only needs to do a great job of protecting the football, but he
also needs a lot of help from his friends.
Brown has become the go-to-guy in the passing game, but he'll have a tough
matchup against Jackson. WRs Matt Trannon (five catches for 77 yards and one TD)
and Agim Shabaj (3 catches for 33 yards), TE Eric Knott (5 catches for 121 yards
and one TD) and RB Jason Teague (five catches for 49 yards) must all chip in.
It will be especially important for Teague to contribute as a receiver if the
Irish continue their torrid streak of shutting down opposing rushing attacks.
While BYU is clearly a pass-first team and Michigan is trying to figure out its
running back situation, the Irish have allowed just 1.2 yards on 77 carries.
It's even more impressive when you take into account that the unit lost both its
interior defensive linemen (Darrell Campbell and Cedric Hilliard) and its middle
linebacker (Courtney Watson) from a year ago.
The return of Goolsby, who missed the entire 2003 season because of a broken
collarbone, has made the transition easier. It also has a lot to do with the
play of DT Greg Pauly and NT Derek Landri. Both players have done a terrific job
of holding their ground up front.
LDE Justin Tuck, who had a breakout season in 2003 when he broke the school
record with 13.5 sacks, must be more consistent. He does have three sacks, but
has just two other tackles and his effort versus the run has been lacking. If
Tuck can provide more production on Saturday night it will make things more
difficult for the Spartans on offense.
Michigan State special teams
The one area the Spartans should hold an advantage is special teams. They are
equipped with one of the better kicking games in the country. PK Dave Rayner has
hit just one of three field goal attempts, but one of those three was from 52
yards out. PT Brandon Fields has been spectacular, averaging 50.3 yards per
attempt.
Furthermore, DeAndra Cobbs was one of the nation's most explosive kickoff return
men in 2003 with three returns for touchdowns, and has averaged 26 yards per
return so far this season. Brown and Shabaj have split the punt return duties,
and both are sure-handed.
Bottom line
Notre Dame's win over Michigan last week was a considerable upset, but not
necessarily a fluke. Without Walker and Grant in the opener against BYU, the
Irish didn't have the necessary balance to effectively operate the West Coast
offense.
The Irish still have issues in terms of Quinn's decision-making, the lack of a
complementary wide receiver and Walker's inexperience. However, if the tandem of
Walker and Grant can provide a consistent production, Willingham's scheme will
finally have the balance it needs.
Michigan State has seemingly been able to raise its level of play when the
"Golden-Domers" come to town. Add the excitement of a nationally televised night
game to the equation, and you're sure to get the best that the Spartans have to
offer. Unfortunately, that won't be enough.
The Spartans are inexperienced on offense -- especially with Reaves getting his
first collegiate start at quarterback -- and their defense has failed to come up
with big plays. Look for the Irish to attack the Spartan's porous run defense
right away.
When the odds-makers made the Irish just slight favorites in this game they may
have factored history into the equation, while also underestimating Willingham's
team. With newfound confidence on offense and a defense that has been
suffocating against the run, Notre Dame should methodically dismember Michigan
State. The Irish should have this game well in hand by the start of the fourth.

Prediction: Notre Dame 26, Michigan State 13

**wayne1218** · 09-18-2004, 01:20 PM

By Tony Granieri
Scouts, Inc.

Ohio State faces its toughest challenge of the young season this Saturday, as
the No. 7 Buckeyes travel to Raleigh to play North Carolina State. It will be
the first road game of the year for the 2-0 Buckeyes, who are coming off a
thrilling 24-21 win over Marshall. Mike Nugent's 55-yard field goal as time
expired was the difference in that game.
Game Information

vs.
Who: Ohio State (7) at N.C. State
When: Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, N.C.

This will be just the second meeting between these two schools, but if the first
meeting is any indication of what's to come, this should be a battle. The 2003
contest at Ohio Stadium lasted four hours and three overtimes before the
Buckeyes emerged with a 44-38 win.
Now the Wolfpack look for revenge in a rematch in front of their fans at
Carter-Finley Stadium. Will a shot at redemption fuel an upset or will the
championship-minded Buckeyes improve their record to 3-0?
When Ohio State has the ball
Ohio State run offense vs. N.C. State run defense
The Buckeyes took a big hit across their offensive line when they lost OGs
Adrien Clark and Alex Stepanovich and ROT Shane Olivea to the NFL during the
offseason. Although Ohio State has done well to reload and there is plenty of
talent up front, it may take some time for this inexperienced group to gel.
RBs Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall are serviceable, but neither is a big-play
threat in the backfield. Ohio State will look to mask its lack of a playmaker
with a consistent and efficient ground attack as a result. That may be easier
said than done this week.
North Carolina State's defense is still adjusting to new coordinator Reggie
Herring's aggressive philosophy, but his schemes play to the strength of the
team's talented linebackers. Although the run defense underachieved last season,
there seems to be a noticeable difference after just one week under Herring's
control.
Advantage: N.C. State
Ohio State pass offense vs. N.C. State pass defense
QB Justin Zwick seems to be growing into his role as the starter after throwing
for 324 yards and three touchdowns against Marshall last week. Although he is
still relatively inexperienced, Zwick has shown great poise and the ability to
rebound from his mistakes. He has also developed a strong relationship with
sophomore WR Santonio Holmes; the two connected 10 times for 224 yards and two
touchdowns last week.
Outside of Holmes, there is some pressure on the rest of the receiving corps to
step up and fill the voids left behind by WRs Michael Jenkins and Drew Carter
and TE Ben Hartsock. A repeat performance from last week seems unlikely, but one
or two big plays from the explosive Holmes should give the Buckeyes the edge
here. Advantage: Ohio State
When N.C. State has the ball
N.C. State run offense vs. Ohio State run defense
Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone prefers to throw the ball, but he will have
to keep Ohio State honest by mixing in the run. In turn, expect to see plenty of
draws and traps out of the shotgun formation.

Justin Zwick is growing confident as Ohio State's starting QB.
With an experienced offensive line led by all-conference OG LeRoy Harris, the
running game should be able to take some of the pressure off of QB Jay Davis.
The Buckeyes have three new starters along the defensive line and they've had
some trouble stopping the run through the first two weeks despite loads of
talent at linebacker.
RB T.A. McClendon is the best player at his position in the ACC and should be
able to take advantage of Ohio State's struggles, but he's had durability
problems in the past and is nursing a hamstring injury. If McClendon pulls up
lame, the onus will fall on backup Josh Brown to carry the load.
Advantage: Draw
N.C. State pass offense vs. Ohio State pass defense
Replacing QB Philip Rivers will be next to impossible, but head coach Chuck
Amato feels as though Davis is capable of moving the offense. Mazzone likes to
use the shotgun and will throw a variety of looks at the Buckeyes in an effort
to create some favorable matchups for Davis to exploit. However, the Buckeyes
shouldn't allow very many big plays, which will force Davis to complete a high
percentage of passes to get his team into scoring position.
Look for the Wolfpack to spread the field with three- and four-receiver sets and
for Ohio State to counter with a lot of zone schemes designed to force Davis to
dink and dunk his way down the field. The receiving corps is led by Tramain
Hall. Hall, Richard Washington and Lamart Barrett make this a deep group, but
they'll have to have success getting open underneath if North Carolina State
hopes to be productive moving the ball through the air.
Advantage: Ohio State
Special teams
Ohio State PK Mike Nugent was selected as the Big Ten co-special teams player of
the week following his 55-yard game-winning field goal against Marshall this
past Saturday. Nugent's kick came as time ran out and snapped a 21-21 tie. As
long as he's around, the Buckeyes' place-kicking will be solid.
PT Kyle Turano has a big leg and gets great hang time, but he must make sure to
get rid of the ball quickly this week, as North Carolina State leads the nation
with 31 blocks over the last three seasons.
The Wolfpack's kicking and punting duties are handled by John Deraney. After one
game, Deraney is averaging over 50 yards per punt and has connected on two of
his three field goal attempts.
Advantage: Draw
Bottom line
The play of a relatively new quarterback and an evolving defense will seal the
Wolfpack's fate. The Buckeyes will employ mostly zone schemes against N.C.
State's spread formations in an attempt to force Davis to throw into tight
spaces. Davis will need to play efficiently and connect on a high percentage of
his passes for the Wolfpack to be successful.
He looked good in the opener, but he faces a much stiffer test in Ohio State and
he should struggle as a result. If McClendon was healthy and the running game
could shoulder more of the load, N.C. State would have a better shot at pulling
off the upset. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, that isn't the case. Look for
Zwick and Holmes to lead the charge as Ohio State wins another close one.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, N.C. State 21

**wayne1218** · 09-18-2004, 01:22 PM

By Tony Granieri
Scouts, Inc.

LSU hits the road for the first time in 2004, as the Tigers travel to Auburn for
a classic SEC West showdown. LSU comes into this contest riding a 10-game
winning streak, which currently ranks as the third longest in the nation.
However, the Tigers barely survived Oregon State in the season opener so this
team has shown some vulnerability.
Game Information

vs.
Who: LSU (4) vs. Auburn (15)
When: Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.

Auburn RBs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown will be working against one of the
best run defenses in the country. Williams and Brown are both averaging over 100
yards per game and LSU has surrendered just 69 yards rushing per game. Can
Auburn's dynamic duo put an end to the nation's third-longest winning streak or
will LSUs talented front-seven keep Auburn's running game in check?
When LSU has the ball
LSU run offense vs. Auburn run defense
Louisiana State has great depth at running back; they're all talented. Justin
Vincent is the star of the show, but Joseph Addai, Shyrone Carey and Alley
Broussard play strong supporting roles. All four will see action against Auburn.
The combination of these four backs is good enough to combine for close to 200
yards rushing in this game.
Auburn has young talent at linebacker but with Dontarrious Thomas and Karlos
Dansby playing in the NFL, this group isn't nearly as explosive as it was a year
ago. Expect Auburn to have some trouble keeping the LSU ground game under wraps.
Advantage: LSU
LSU offense vs. Auburn pass defense
Louisiana State has some explosive options on the perimeter in WRs Dwayne Bowe,
Skyler Green and Xavier Carter. But who's going to throw the ball downfield? LSU
has issues at quarterback.
While JaMarcus Russell has performed better than Marcus Randall, both have
failed to adequately replace Matt Mauck. Auburn's pass defense is shaping up to
be one of the best in the SEC, but they'll have to be careful not to let LSU's
quarterbacks off the hook.
Advantage: Auburn
When Auburn has the ball
Auburn run offense vs. LSU run defense
The combination of Williams and Brown gives Auburn one of the most explosive
running games in the country. Williams is an elite player who will likely
contend for the Heisman trophy at season's end. Brown has a terrific combination
of power and speed. The offensive line has been shuffled around to get the best
five players on the field and this group appears ready to breakout.
The offensive line's strong play is a big reason Auburn is averaging 238.5
rushing yards per game. Louisiana State's starting front seven has loads of
talent. DE Marcus Spears is an NFL prospect and DT Claude Wroten is a force in
the middle. But there isn't a lot of depth and Auburn's backs should be able to
wear down LSU's front seven.
Advantage: Auburn
Auburn pass offense vs. LSU pass defense

Auburn QB Jason Campbell needs to have a better game on Saturday after
last year's struggles against LSU.
This is where the game will be won or lost for Auburn. Once the running game
gets going and the front seven's depth is exploited, look for LSU to move its
safeties down into the box.
Although QB Jason Campbell isn't a great passer, Auburn needs its quarterback to
take advantage of the one-on-one opportunities afforded to him by the running
game. One or two big plays from Campbell would give Auburn the edge here. The
problem is there's no guarantee he'll be able to come through when needed.
Advantage: LSU
Special teams
Auburn PK John Vaughn has talent but has been inconsistent. PT Kody Bliss is
among the best in the SEC and has the leg to kick the Tigers out of trouble.
While Williams has returned both punts and kicks, he might be too valuable to
put back deep this week. Backup RB Tre Smith is the more likely option.
For LSU, most of the special teams' key contributors return, but there is some
room for improvement. Ryan Gaudet and Chris Jackson have combined to connect on
just two of four field-goal attempts and both have had kicks blocked in the
past. While Jackson also handles the punting duties, he is only adequate in that
role. Skyler Green is a dangerous return man capable of swinging momentum. He
brought two kicks back for scores last year and is very elusive in the open
field.
Advantage: LSU
Bottom line
Both teams feature spectacular running games and sound defenses. This game will
come down to the play of the quarterbacks. Randall has flashed big-time
potential, but it's safe to say he's still a little green at this point. The
edge in experience goes to Campbell. However, he isn't a pure drop-back passer
and is inconsistent.
If Auburn is to steal this one away from LSU, they'll need Campbell to outplay
Randall and provide the offense with a couple of big plays. The combination of
Williams and Brown will open up some one-on-one opportunities down the field.
While LSU should win a close one, its 10-game winning streak is in jeopardy this
week.

Prediction: LSU 23, Auburn 20

**wayne1218** · 09-18-2004, 01:25 PM

By Steve Muench
Scouts, Inc.

USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow started his coaching career as a graduate
assistant with BYU in 1973 and became the Cougars' offensive coordinator in
1982. Chow coached at BYU for a total of 27 years and the Cougars led the nation
in total offense three times during his time as offensive coordinator. He was
instrumental in the development of BYU QBs Steve Young and Ty Detmer. This will
be his first trip back to Provo since his departure following the 1999 season,
and he will have his offense firing on all cylinders.
Game Information

vs.
Who: USC (1) vs. BYU
When: Sat., 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT

This matchup has some historical significance, as the Trojans have never played
at BYU. It has been 87 years since they played a game in Utah. In addition, this
will be just the second meeting between these two teams. A Cougars'
comeback-attempt fell short in a 35-18 loss at USC last year.
When USC has the ball
USC run offense vs. BYU run defense
The Cougars will look to shutdown the Trojans' running game and force them to
win this game through the air. It's much easier said than done. While BYU's run
defense has given up an average of just 41.5 yards rushing over its first two
games, the Trojans have two backs in LenDale White and Reggie Bush who
complement each other very well.
White has the power to pick up yards after contact and Bush has the speed to run
away from defenders when he gets a seam. They should be effective enough to keep
the Cougars honest and take some pressure off QB Matt Leinart. In addition,
BYU's secondary missed some tackles last week and it must do a better job of
wrapping up in the open field.
Advantage: USC
USC offense vs. BYU pass defense
WR Dwayne Jarrett dropped some passes against Colorado State last week and needs
to be a little more consistent. The key to the passing game will be the
protection. Cougars' defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall is aggressive and
will bring pressure from all over the field. He will also mix in some 3-3-5
alignments. With this game on the road, the Trojans' offensive linemen could
have some problems communicating.
The backs will also play a big role in pass protection. They must recognize
which defender poses the biggest threat to Leinart and attack that blitzing
player. Another way the backs can help the offensive line is to chip a defensive
lineman or linebacker before releasing downfield.
Advantage: USC
When BYU has the ball
BYU run offense vs. USC run defense
BYU gives itself the best opportunity to win this game by winning the battle of
time possession and keeping the score close heading into the fourth quarter. The
best way to accomplish this is to establish an effective running game. BYU's
offensive line has the size to wear down USC's defensive line over the course of
the game. However, it should struggle early on with the quickness and athletic
ability of the Trojans' front seven. If the Cougars are unable to prevent
penetration and USC starts making plays in their backfield, offensive
coordinator Todd Bradford will have to supplement the running game with a short
passing game.

The Cougars must prevent Reggie Bush from making big plays.
Reserve QB Jason Beck was responsible for two of BYU's four fumbles last week.
RB Curtis Brown and WR Austin Collie also lost fumbles. The Cougars cannot
afford to give Leinart quality field position, so they must do a better job of
securing the ball.
Advantage: USC
BYU pass offense vs. USC pass defense
Injuries forced BYU to play four different quarterbacks last week, but starter
John Beck is expected to be back under center and could cause some problems for
USC. Beck has good mobility, and the Cougars will roll him out of the pocket at
times. The Trojans are extremely aggressive getting upfield and their defensive
ends must make sure to keep Beck inside the pocket or he could run for some
critical first downs. USC's secondary must also play with discipline, especially
if Beck has success scrambling early. If CBs Ronald Nunn and Justin Wyatt fill
against the run before Beck crosses the line of scrimmage, Beck could just dump
the ball over their heads for some long gains.
The Trojans had some problems defending TE Daniel Coats last year, but that
should change. Head coach Pete Carroll will make the necessary adjustments. With
that in mind, Beck must be careful not to go to Coats too often, or it could
result in a costly interception.
Advantage: USC
Special teams
Matt Payne returns as BYU's place kicker and punter for the third consecutive
season. Payne generally gets great hang time on his punts and is capable of
pinning USC in its own territory. He has also connected on all three of his
field goal attempts thus far, including a 53-yarder against Notre Dame. There
are concerns with the kickoff cover unit. Stanford returned a kickoff 99 yards
for a touchdown against the Cougars last week.
USC PK Ryan Killeen has missed one of his two field goal attempts this year but
connected on 19 of 24 last year. P Tom Malone possesses excellent leg strength
and is capable of kicking USC out of trouble. RS Bush is explosive and should
take advantage of any breakdowns in BYU's cover units this week.
Advantage: USC
Bottom line
BYU's defense and Beck's return to the starting lineup will keep this game
closer than most people anticipate, but USC will pull away in the end. White and
Bush will establish an efficient running game, which will help keep the Cougars
off-balance. The Trojans' young receivers should continue to make some mistakes,
but they will make enough big plays to compensate.
Expect BYU to come out running the ball in an effort to keep Leinart off the
field. However, the Trojans' front seven will force the Cougars to abandon the
run, making the offense one-dimensional. Once this happens, USC should have
success pressuring Beck into making some critical mistakes.

Prediction: USC 31, BYU 13

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