Things have been pretty wild in the world of sports lately. The Detroit Lions are hitting rock bottom early into the season instead of during the middle of its schedule, and 38-year old Michael Jordan is returning to the NBA for the second time. One thing that is predictable is the fact that there are going to be plenty of exciting games this weekend.
Even though Racy Lacy won’t be covering MSU’s game at Northwestern on Saturday, he will keep an eye on the matchup - at a sportsbook in Las Vegas. Hopefully when he returns from his mini-vacation he can get a better feel for how to predict games since he’s a little behind. Vanilla Rice is 12-3 and Racy Lacy is 10-5.
No. 23 MSU (2-0) at No. 16 Northwestern (2-0)
After an impressive win against the Irish last weekend, MSU moves on to preseason conference favorite Northwestern, which beat Duke 44-7 Saturday. This matchup will be the tale of two tailbacks, MSU’s junior T.J. Duckett and Northwestern’s Damien Anderson. The two are arguably the best in the nation.
Vanilla Rice: Even though the Spartans proved me wrong Saturday, and I’m probably going to take a lot of heat for picking against MSU again, I just don’t think the Spartans will beat the Wildcats. But hey students, even if my overall record is stellar, don’t worry, I don’t usually know what I’m talking about.
MSU fans can also look forward to another great show from sophomore wide receiver Charles Rogers. Now that he has a touchdown under his belt - and is sure to have many more - you can just call him “Touchdown Charlie.”
Northwestern 37, MSU 24
Racy Lacy: I picked the Spartans to fall last week and am still kicking myself about that. I’m not going to make that same mistake again. The Big Ten’s No.1 pass defense will be tested by quarterback Zak Kustok and should respond well, as long as it can first stop the shifty moves of Anderson.
The Chicago area has plenty of MSU fans who will get Ryan Field rockin’. The Wildcats’ home field isn’t that intimidating anyway, since it resembles the hallowed grounds of East Lansing High School. I wonder whose color guard is cuter?
MSU 31, Northwestern 24
No. 22 Illinois (3-0) at No. 17 Michigan (2-1)
The Fighting Illini are looking for revenge after last year when the Wolverines denied them their first 4-0 start since 1951. U-M beat Western Michigan 38-21 Saturday and Illinois beat Louisville 34-10.
Vanilla Rice: This game won’t come easy for the Illini, especially in the “Big House.” But the past few years Illinois has come up big against U-M, and this year won’t be different.
Illinois 30, Michigan 27
Racy Lacy: It’s too bad the Wolverweenies’ freshman running back Kelly Baraka got busted for pot this summer or else he would probably see plenty of action in this developing rivalry. He’s suspended from the team for a year. Tailback Chris Perry is doubtful for the game with a knee injury.
Illinois leads the conference in takeaways, forcing a whopping 12 turnovers. Since U-M quarterback John Navarre injured his throwing hand last week, expect him to have some have problems with accuracy. Plus, U-M is still in search of a big play receiver that can get the job done - it won’t find it against the Illini.
Illinois 20, Michigan 17
No. 14 LSU (2-0) at No. 7 Tennessee (2-0)
Both teams were idle last week, but don’t expect them to be rusty for this one. This could be a preview of the SEC Championship. In their last games, LSU beat Utah State 31-14 and Tennessee beat Arkansas 13-3.
Vanilla Rice: LSU and Tennessee are itching to get back on the field since both haven’t played since Sept. 8. The teams have done nothing but practice against scout teams for the last two weeks. Ironically, Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen‘s brother Rick runs LSU‘s scout team. So LSU should have some good insight to Casey Clausen’s tendencies. The only problem is that Rick throws right-handed and Casey throws left-handed.
LSU 27, Tennessee 26
Racy Lacy: ESPN was granted total access to the Tigers this week to shoot footage for a special that will air on the next two Saturdays. The network will be glad if they don’t plan on shooting footage of head coach Nick Saban after this game. Saban is going to turn next week’s practices into a boot camp after his team gets blasted by the Volunteers.
Clausen is 8-1 as a starter, including a 6-0 mark in league play. Plus the Volunteers are 10-1-1 against the Tigers in Knoxville.
Tennessee 35, LSU 20
No. 21 Mississippi State (1-1) at No. 2 Florida (3-0)
Mississippi State lost to South Carolina 16-14 Saturday and Florida kept its unbeaten streak going with a 44-10 win over Kentucky. Florida is out to get the Bulldogs after it fell to Mississippi State 47-35 last year.
Vanilla Rice: Mississippi State’s game Saturday against South Carolina was just about as good as college football gets. But although the Bulldogs ran all over the Gators last year with 351-yards total offense, this year’s game won’t be as close since this game is in the “Swamp.”
The Bulldogs are going to get eaten like Steve Irwin on “The Crocodile Hunter.” Look out, mate!
Florida 32, Mississippi State 10
Racy Lacy: The Gators were embarrassed last year and that made head coach Steve Spurrier crankier than he usually is. But there is hope for these guys since quarterback Rex Grossman is on fire through the first three games. He had four touchdown passes against Kentucky on Saturday.
No need for Florida fans to get any gambling tips from Teddy Dupay and his bookie buddies. The Gators will cover the spread and lounge around in the “Swamp” with another win.
Florida 44, Mississippi State 31
