Oh what a time for the gurus to finish the season. It’s rivalry week and this weekend is chockfull of intriguing matchups.
Records to date: Arthole 32-14, Special K 26-20
MSU (5-5) at Penn State (4-7)
With its surprising victory over Purdue last week, MSU is back in the bowl hunt. A win over Penn State this week would all but guarantee the Spartans a postseason bowl berth.
Special K: Jeff Smoker’s return to the Keystone State turns ugly. The turnover and penalty problems that have plagued MSU all season return, and the Spartans are sent home packing for the holidays.
Penn State 17, MSU 13
Arthole: For as bad as this year’s been, a Spartan win gives them a winning season and more importantly, a chance to go to a bowl. With this in mind, MSU invades the stadium of Beaver and wins there for the first time since 1965.
MSU 24, Penn State 17
No. 4 Florida (9-1) at No. 3 Florida State (10-1)
Another installment in this fierce rivalry and once again, the outcome has implications on the national championship, or at least the Bowl Championship Series. Bobby Bowden has won the last two meetings and Steve Spurrier is 0-4-1 on the road against the Seminoles.
Special K: Chris “old and crusty” Weinke makes one last stand trying to convince voters he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy. But voters insist on voting for people younger than them, eliminating Weinke from the mix. Florida State in a close one.
Florida State 30, Florida 24
Arthole: Steve Spurrier continues to play musical quarterbacks while Bobby Bowden sticks with Chris Weinke, who’s old enough to be Bowden’s brother. Spurrier’s ill temper and all the quarterback changes he’s made this year have turned his brain into poo - leaving him unable to coach (like he would’ve won anyway).
Florida State 47, Florida 29
No. 5 Oregon (9-1) at No. 9 Oregon State (9-1)
For once, there’s a lot on the line with this rivalry game, or the “Civil War” as Oregonians refer to it. The winner inches closer to the coveted PAC-10 prize - the Rose Bowl.
Special K: Dennis Erickson has brought his shadiness and coaching talent to the Pacific Northwest, while turning around a once-brutal Oregon State program. Believe it or not, this game is for more than just bragging rights; BCS standings included. Oregon State shows the nation it’s more than Oregon’s whipping boy.
Oregon State 31, Oregon 27
Arthole: It’s beaver heaven! The Ducks and the Beavers clash for bragging rights of the Beaver State! This game’s going to be a classic, especially with Keith Jackson calling the game. “Whoaaaaa Nellliee!”
Oregon 35, Oregon State 34
No. 19 Michigan (7-3) at No. 12 Ohio State (8-2)
Michigan’s real rivalry week (sorry Spartan die-hards) is here. The annual regular-season finale has much on the line this year, including Rose Bowl positioning.
Special K: Giving in to a co-worker’s malicious bribe, I’m going with U-M. The anonymous reporter believes if I pick the Wolverines, it will ensure a Buckeye victory. After enduring hundreds of “Go Bucks” chants from the Ohio State nutcase all semester, I’ve chosen to succumb to his wishes, and more importantly shut him up!
U-M 27, Ohio State 21
Arthole: What an intriguing matchup. On one side, U-M’s talented offense clashes with an equally talented Ohio State defense. Then a porous U-M defense faces an exceedingly mediocre Ohio State offense. Hail to our arrogant neighbors because I still think the Buckeyes’ Steve Belli-sorry sucks.
U-M 23, Ohio State 14
Jeff Karzen, a State News football writer, can be reached at karzenje@msu.edu.
Arthur Alcid, a State News football writer, can be reached at alcidart@msu.edu.
