Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday, October 22, 2004
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Charles Renning
asst. sports editor |
Lindsey Frazier
staff writer |
Amanda Branam
staff writer |
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Arizona vs. #7 California
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Renning: Cal will be one of four BCS teams Arizona faces this year.
Wisconsin, Utah, Southern California and Cal will all find themselves with a
big time payday after New Year's. Arizona has little if any chance of knocking
off the Bears. Good thing Mom and Dad will be in town so they can pay for your
heavy drinking when the game gets out of hand in the second quarter.
Arizona 6, California
35
Frazier: Let's be realistic: This game will probably be over at halftime
and if history repeats itself, Arizona will only be able to put points on the
board when it's too late. Cal has too much offense for a Wildcat defense that
is pretty banged up. There's no doubt the Golden Bears are for real. California
beat USC in every statistic except the scoreboard, only because it put the ball
on the ground three times. You can't expect Cal to make the same mistakes
against Arizona.
California
42, Arizona 21
Branam: Um, I consider myself to be a glass half-full type of girl, but
Cal's offense is just too good. Passing is its strength, and one of UA's bigger
problems is passing defense (aside from that whole
getting-into-the-red-zone-but-being-unable-to-score thing). Not really an ideal
situation for the Wildcats.
UA 14, Cal
45
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#23 ASU vs. UCLA
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Renning: Drew and White sounds like some kind of law firm. Maybe they can
defend themselves when they're charged with assault from the beat down they lay
on the Scum Devils. Look for the pair to reel off a combined 300+ yards on the
ground and six scores. The only thing I'd enjoy more than seeing ASU get beat
45-7 by SC last week is for it to happen two weeks in a row.
AssU 7, Maurice Drew and Manuel White
45
Frazier: UCLA's rushing game has evaporated. The Bruins managed only 79
rushing yards against California. Neither team has a great defense but Andrew
Walter should be able to lead his team to victory. If the ASU team that beat
Iowa shows up, it'll win big. If the ASU that choked at USC shows up, it could
be a close game.
Arizona State
35, UCLA 28
Branam: I say that the Sun Devils less-than-impressive showing against
USC will start a downward spiral for ASU. Maurice Drew will have another big
day, and the Bruins will win a close one.
UCLA
24, ASU 21
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#11 Michigan vs. #12 Purdue
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Renning: Kyle Orton not only coughed away his chances at a Heisman Trophy
a week ago, but coughed away the Boilermakers' chances at an undefeated season.
Orton won't make the same mistake twice. With Purdue leading by one with two
minutes to go, Orton slides. The Boilermakers kill the clock and the Big Blue
for the first time since 2000.
Michigan 27, Purdue
28
Frazier: Purdue suffered a heartbreaking loss from the Badgers last week,
but Michigan has bigger problems. Michigan can barely beat Indiana and
Illinois, two of the weakest teams in the overrated Big 10. Michigan hasn't
faced the level of competition that Purdue has. If the Boilermakers can pull it
off, it will be one of the biggest wins in Purdue history.
Purdue
24, Michigan 21
Branam: Clearly, this will be a fantastic game. I give Purdue the slight
advantage, only because they are at home and they have Kyle Orton. Oh yeah, and
I think they are still better from their loss to Wisconsin - there is no way
they will lose two in a row at home.
Michigan 24, Purdue
28
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#9 Texas vs. #24 Texas Tech
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Renning: Texas Tech put up 70 points twice this year in six games. Texas
won't be able to go blow for blow with the Red Raiders. This one is Texas
running back Cedric Benson against Texas Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie
outlasts Benson and Tech moves ahead of UT. Then, someone in Austin starts up
firemackbrown.com. Oh wait - it already exists.
Texas 35, Texas Tech
42
Frazier: Texas Tech has been a surprise already this season - handing
Nebraska its worst loss in history. Passing isn't a problem for the Red Raiders
as Sonny Cumbie threw for 369 yards against Oklahoma, despite three
interceptions. But if you live by the pass, you die by the pass. The Texas
defense should be just strong enough to pull off the win.
Texas
21, Texas Tech 17
Branam: I never pick UT to win. Ever. Even if the Longhorns were playing
a seventh-grade Pop Warner team, I would find some way to justify calling the
upset. Sonny Cumbie will throw for 500 yards and Vince Young, well, won't.
Texas 17, Texas Tech 77