College football know-it-alls say MSU, Nebraska will win, split on rest

Two weeks of college football have passed without MSU playing, but now fans can dust off their Spartan helmet grills and break out the rest of their tailgating gear.

Although we’re upset we won’t be tailgating ourselves Saturday, we’re pleased with our prognosticator performance debut last week - we both went 3-1.

Central Michigan at MSU

Central - which defeated MSU in 1991 and 1992 - comes into this game after a 42-28 victory over Eastern Kentucky. But the Chips will be subject to a raucous sellout crowd of more than 72,000. The all-time series is tied at 2-2 and the Spartans last beat CMU in 1998.

Vanilla Rice: MSU should not have any problems with Central, but if it does, pray for the members of the media who have to deal with head coach Bobby Williams in the post-game press conference.

But the Spartans should be OK, despite all the setbacks in the last few weeks. Even though MSU has a lot of holes in its defense that are filled by backups, the team will still hold CMU to 10 points. If I’m wrong about this one, next week I’ll write my picks in a rap.

MSU 34, CMU 10

Racy Lacy: Barring any more unexpected suspensions or academic problems, count on the Spartans to manhandle the Chips. The only uncertainty in this game will be what pre-game song blasts through the stadium’s loudspeakers. Whatever happened to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” anyway? Someone has some explaining to do.

MSU 28, CMU 7

No. 21 South Carolina at No. 25 Georgia

South Carolina beat Boise State 32-13 last week and Georgia thumped Arkansas State 45-17. It will be interesting to see if both teams can keep putting up big numbers now that each is beginning to play real opponents.

Vanilla Rice: It took a little while, but head coach Lou Holtz has finally turned around the Gamecocks program.

But this one should be close, and Holtz’s ’Cocks will pull it out in the final moments of the fourth quarter and stick it to the Bulldogs.

South Carolina 24, Georgia 17

Racy Lacy: Fraternity members everywhere sporting “Cocks” hats will pout something terrible after this one. These Bulldogs are rabid, especially after the Gamecocks ended an 18-game Southeastern Conference losing streak last season with a 21-10 victory over Georgia in Columbia. It led to the firing of former head coach Jim Donnan - don’t think the players forgot that.

Georgia 27, South Carolina 17

No. 19 Fresno State at No. 23 Wisconsin

Fresno State defeated Oregon State 44-24, and Wisconsin lost to Oregon 31-28. Both teams’ respective showings last week could shake up the bowl picture and conference standings down the road.

Vanilla Rice: Both Wisconsin and its backup quarterback Jim Sorgi out of Fraser, Mich., looked sharp against Oregon and probably should have won that game. But neither Sorgi or Badger starter Brooks Bollinger will be able to put up big enough numbers to outscore Fresno State.

A win over the Badgers will solidify the Bulldogs’ status as a Top 25 team, and the fact they play one of the toughest schedules in the nation will really help come Bowl Championship Series decision time.

Fresno State 30, Wisconsin 24

Racy Lacy: You gotta like a school that has a beer garden in its student union. Plus, Camp Randall Stadium is one rowdy place - just ask MSU junior tailback T.J. Duckett, who faced plenty of jeers there two years ago. Sorgi is capable of getting hot, just like he did last year in East Lansing. He’s got that flava’ straight outta Fraser.

Wisconsin 37, Fresno State 31

No. 17 Notre Dame at No. 5 Nebraska

Notre Dame isn’t wasting any time going against the big boys, and that’s just what Nebraska is full of. The Cornhuskers pounded Troy State last week 42-14. Notre Dame just pounded each other in practice.

Vanilla Rice: As much as I hate Nebraska, it consistently has huge lines on both sides of the ball. Even though Notre Dame took the Cornhuskers to overtime last season, this year’s game won’t be as close.

Nebraska 35, Notre Dame 17

Racy Lacy: Always bet on the corn-fed boys, who are similar to those kids from Grand Ledge High School who won the state championship last year. NBC executives, who have a lengthy million dollar TV deal with the Irish, will be so busy smooching Notre Dame’s butt they won’t notice the game’s outcome.

Nebraska 48, Notre Dame 28

Western Michigan at No. 9 Virginia Tech

Western Michigan beat Illinois State 48-7 last week and Virginia Tech dominated Connecticut 52-10. So, when are Bronco fans going to start drinking for this one? They’ll need it.

Vanilla Rice: Western Michigan has a chance to propel itself into the Top 25 if it can pull off a stunning upset. Quarterback Jeff Welsh will lead the Broncos in a John Elway-like two-minute drill in the fourth quarter. But unlike Elway, Welsh will fall short in the final moments.

Virginia Tech 34, Western Michigan 28

Racy Lacy: The loss of tailback Lee Suggs to a torn anterior cruciate ligament is huge, but back-up Keith Burnell shouldn’t have any problem replacing him against the Broncos.

The Hokies have guts and have had guys fill in for star players before, especially last season when they lost quarterback Michael Vick for a short time. Expect a rout. There won’t be many accolades tossed around about the Mid-American Conference in this game. Western should get torched.

Virginia Tech 44, Western Michigan 17

No. 11 Michigan at No. 15 Washington

Michigan beat Miami (Ohio) 31-13 Saturday. Washington didn’t play.

Vanilla Rice: Michigan looked sad against the RedHawks and will have to pick it up out West this weekend. But U-M quarterback John Navarre is not Drew Henson, who is still trying to hit that curve ball down in AAA ball. Navarre may have looked OK against Miami, but Washington is not in the MAC and will throw harder stunts and more blitzes at him - and the Huskies have bigger, faster defenders.

Even though Washington quarterback David Pickett is making his first start for the Huskies, he will still help spoil yet another season for the maize and blue.

Washington 27, Michigan 24

Racy Lacy: I hate Michigan, But the fact is, it’s still talented despite the key losses it had last season. The Wolverines didn’t look that great Saturday, but c’mon, they still find a way to play mediocre and stay overrated until their traditional mid-to-late season downfall.

Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel was just given a 35-percent raise, bringing his salary to $1.2 million, but the Benjamins don’t matter because the loss of quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo to the Oakland Raiders is huge. The Huskies have a veteran defense that should keep this game close.

Michigan 24, Washington 21