The ice rink is gone and football is back at Spartan Stadium for the first time since MSU’s Sept. 8 home opener against Central Michigan.
This week the prognosticators will stick to football after the 3-3 tie between MSU and Michigan in “The Cold War” added a blemish to both their records.
At 14-12 Racy Lacy still trails Vanilla Rice who has a 17-9 record.
Iowa (3-1) at MSU (2-1)
MSU is looking to stay afloat in the Big Ten after a shocking game at Northwestern.
Even though Iowa lost to Purdue 23-14 last week, it could still prove to be a dark horse in the Big Ten with a win over MSU.
Vanilla Rice: After both its starting cornerbacks broke ankles last week in practice, MSU’s secondary may need a hand from defensive line coach Brad Lawing’s son, Will, who has five interceptions for the Okemos junior varsity squad.
But before MSU dips into its JV prospects, Iowa will have to get past freshman free safety Robert Flagg and his mouthful of platinum teeth.
MSU 20, Iowa 14
Racy Lacy: The return of senior linebacker Ivory McCoy will provide a big boost for the Spartans who can use any able body on defense. Plus, it’s Homecoming and that’s the one time during the season when MSU is practically unbeatable.
Iowa will test MSU’s secondary and will put up some points thanks to quarterback Kyle McCann who has completed 68 percent of his passes.
But expect Chris Tucker look-alike Charles Rogers to get downright raunchy in the end-zone Saturday as well. He’ll spark up the scoreboard.
MSU 31, Iowa 27
No. 17 Purdue (4-0) at No. 12 Michigan (4-1)
Purdue has a chance to spoil U-M’s season like it did last year when it beat the Wolverines 32-31 on a last second field goal. Last week Purdue handed Iowa a loss 23-14, and U-M shut out Penn State 20-0.
Vanilla Rice: Last year quarterback Drew Brees dropped a double deuce on the Wolverines in the second half, as the Boilermakers posted 22 points after trailing 21-7 at halftime. But this year, the game is in the Big House where U-M hardly ever loses.
Michigan 30, Purdue 13
Racy Lacy: I hate to say it, but the Wolverines are on a roll. Expect quarterback John Navarre and running back B.J. Askew to carry much of the load for the Wolverines, just like they did against Penn State. Purdue has too much against them, especially since the Boilermakers haven’t won in Ann Arbor since 1966.
Michigan 21, Purdue 10
No. 2 Miami (4-0) at No. 14 Florida State (3-1)
Miami comes into this game undefeated, but it hasn’t faced any real competition until now. The Hurricanes beat a worthy opponent in Troy State last week 38-7, and Florida State defeated a slightly better opponent in Wake Forest, 48-24.
Vanilla Rice: Florida State will have to establish its running game if it wants to have any chance against Miami.
The Seminoles are averaging a 144.2 rushing yards per game so don’t expect them to magically break out a running game against a Miami defense that only gives up 8.8 points per game.
Miami 34, Florida State 30
Racy Lacy: It’s about that time for Bobby Bowden to start doing some undergarment commercials or make his own “Golden Girls” type sitcom with Joe Paterno, Lou Holtz and former Seminoles quarterback Chris Weinke.
He’ll need some sympathy cheesecake after his boys go down hard against the top notch Hurricanes.
Miami 48, Florida State 27
No. 10 Washington (4-0) at No. 7 UCLA (4-0)
Wow, No. 10 versus No. 7 and they are both undefeated. The Pac 10 is really getting tight, but the outcome should be a little clearer after this one. UCLA opened conference play with a 38-7 win last week over Oregon State, and Washington slid past USC 27-24.
Vanilla Rice: I’d love to give Washington the nod in this one since it handed Michigan its only loss of the season. But UCLA’s defense has only given up 47 points in four games, including 13 in its last two games. Thirteen points won’t be enough to beat UCLA who averages 28 points a game.
UCLA 30, Washington 20
Racy Lacy: Washington coach Rick Neuheisel, a UCLA graduate, could be in deep trouble this week - quarterback Cody Pickett might not play.
If that’s the case, UCLA’s defense is going to kick some booty. The first team defense has not given up a touchdown since the end of the second quarter against Kansas on Sept. 8.
UCLA 34, Washington 21
No. 8 Fresno State (3-1) at Colorado State (2-4)
Fresno State is still on fire this season even though it now has a loss on its score sheet. The Bulldogs beat Louisiana Tech 38-28 last week and will have their hands full in Colorado this week. Colorado State is having a tough year and lost to Louisville 7-2, a game that could’ve been played on the baseball diamond at Coors Field.
Vanilla Rice: I know Fresno has been the surprise team of the year, but I don’t think they’ll be able to tap the Rockies this week.
The Rams haven’t had a great year but stranger things have happened than Fresno State losing to Colorado State in football.
Colorado State 27, Fresno State 24
Racy Lacy: I wonder how much money Fresno State basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian has on this one?
He might have to start recruiting some guys on the football team to play basketball for him since his squad is dropping like the stock market. What gas station is guard Tito Maddox working at now? The school’s football squad won’t drop though, thanks to some high octane offense.
Fresno State 35, Colorado State 24
