For the second-straight week, Death Ro one-upped McSkinny.
The Pac-10 matchup between Washington State and Southern Cal produced the only loss for Death Ro (19-9). McSkinny (16-12) benefited from Wazzu and Ohio State victories, while he watched his other picks - Wisconsin and Clemson - fall to Penn State and Florida State, respectively.
Much to Death Ro’s delight, there aren’t any Pac-10 matchups on the Pigskin Prognosticators’ slate, but they do have four top-25 matchups to debate.
MSU vs. No. 17 Iowa
The Spartans make their first road trip of the season to Iowa City for combat with the Hawkeyes, who have won three straight. The Spartans haven’t won at Kinnick Stadium since 1989.
Death Ro - This game scares me like an 8 a.m. class with mandatory attendance. And the Spartans’ inconsistent play and recent history on the road against Big Ten teams isn’t encouraging.
The Hawkeyes have almost as many weapons on offense as the state has corn fields. But as explosive as they are offensively, they do give up points defensively. And for some reason, the Hawkeyes can’t avoid close games. And in a close game, I have to go with the team that has junior wide receiver Charles Rogers. That would be the Spartans. MSU 31, Iowa 30
McSkinny - If the Spartans were favored, I too, would be worried.
But in this case it’s like a fifth-year senior at a house party, they just know what to do and how to dominate.
With two weeks to prepare for the Hawkeyes, MSU will mix in everything but the beer funnel and keg stand. In place of the house party favorites, the Spartans will substitute a little game of catch between junior quarterback Jeff Smoker and the best receiver in college football, as Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood takes to the road for the first time this season. MSU 27, Iowa 13
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 9 Florida State
The Seminoles are looking for revenge after having the Hurricanes snap their 54-game home winning streak last season in 49-27 fashion.
Florida State knows a win over top-ranked Miami would re-establish the stumbling program to national dominance, and it would like nothing better than to end Larry Coker’s 17-game extended honeymoon after taking over as head coach.
McSkinny - Bobby Bowden can dream all he wants about slapping Coker and the Hurricanes around, but this isn’t a family affair.
Daddy can’t just whip out his belt and demand Coker go to his room. In fact, it’ll be Miami that spanks Bowden’s bottom.
The Hurricanes will again remind the Sunshine State who’s boss with another beating of one of the state’s beloved programs. It’s time for Gator fans to come out of hiding and buy a few rounds for Miami fans as they drink away their sorrows with the Seminoles’ demise. Miami 49, FSU 27
Death Ro - This Miami team is going to lose sometime this season, but the Seminoles don’t look like they have the firepower or talent to compete. FSU quarterback Chris Rix can remember the pain from last year’s game all he wants, but that won’t help him when Miami’s front four comes sweeping through his offensive like four small hurricanes. The Seminoles probably will be more competitive than last year, but a loss is a loss. Miami 38, FSU 24
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Penn State
Both teams travel to the Cotton Bowl - the so-called neutral field - with Oklahoma serving as the host. The winner of this year’s edition of the annual SBC Red River Classic might have a chance to shimmy into the No.1 ranking in the polls.
Death Ro - These are two teams that are pretty evenly matched, and I admit I’ve been thinking about it all week. I’ve been informed by my counterpart that I’ve been conservative with my picks this season.
I disagree. That hasn’t been my strategy at all. When the going gets tough, I just wait for you to pick, then pick against you. Haha.
Word on the street is Texas quarterback Chris Simms still is having nightmares about former Sooner Roy Williams. But Williams is playing on Sundays and Texas can’t possibly continue to choke in big games - they gotta win one someday. With all the marbles at stake and everyone and their daddies watching, I couldn’t possibly put my money on the team with Simms at quarterback or could I? UT 17, OU 10
McSkinny - My counterpart has the right team, but not the right score. The Longhorns will win, but in a shoot-out.
Last year’s physical beating taught Texas one thing, they can’t beat the Sooners in a defensive grudge match.
Simms will finally take his mind off the riches of the NFL for one Saturday and drop enough bombs in Dallas to make the locals to think it’s Berlin, 1945.
Don’t worry though, Simms’ haters, like my meager little counterpart, will get to watch the daddy’s boy fall flat on his face again the following week. I mean, come on, he knows a good game against Oklahoma will ensure his selection in the top five of the draft. UT 44, OU 27
No. 13 Michigan vs. No. 15 Penn State
The Wolverines host the Nittany Lions in a battle of 4-1 teams. But U-M is 1-0 in the conference and Penn State is 1-1. The Wolverines lead the series 6-3 and Lloyd Carr has beaten Joe Paterno in the last five meetings.
Death Ro - There won’t be a shutout this year with Zack Mills and the Johnsons on the field. Penn State has averaged 37 points per game this season, and there aren’t too many defenses that can shut down the Nittany Lions’ balanced attack. The wretched Wolverweenies do have an advantage because they had a bye week and they’re at home, but they’re just not that good this year. Speaking of not that good, John Navarre is the ’Weenies starting quarterback. PSU 30, U-M 27
McSkinny - Wolverines they are, but U-M will have the Nittany Lions purring like kittens on catnip come Saturday.
Navarre will play just well enough to get the win and make the fair-weather U-M fans think he’s actually a good quarterback for another week.
But there’s no denying Michigan’s defense is the real deal. It’ll see to it that Penn State’s Johnson & Johnson will only be useful in getting Joe Pa a new set of tinted bottle caps to pass off as old-school sunglasses. U-M 27, PSU 20
No. 16 Florida vs. No. 18 LSU
After suffering an upset defeat at the hands of Mississippi last Saturday, the Gators return to The Swamp to regain their composure. But a talented Tigers squad would love nothing more than to completely knock Florida off its SEC podium.
LSU claimed the SEC crown last year but haven’t defeated the Gators since 1997.
McSkinny - Rex Grossman and company fell on their faces for the second time. Don’t be afraid to admit it, we all loved it.
It’s just a shame Steve Spurrier isn’t stalking the sidelines in Gainesville, Fla. I’d love to see him in a few prime performances.
But Grossman won’t slip up two weeks in a row, as no quarterback likes to return to campus a fallen hero. So expect the signal caller to put on a spectacular performance and get those Gator honeys to start shouting his name again.
And I know Spartan faithful will enjoy seeing Satan take a swift kick to the promise land. UF 34, LSU 27
Death Ro - I can’t believe it. We’re actually thinking alike.
Grossman has shown he knows how to bounce back after a rough outing. Even in a down year, back-to-back losses just isn’t right for Florida - and LSU is the perfect remedy. Saban will be begging for mercy in this one. UF 28, LSU 19
Pigskin Prognosticators is a (sometimes) humorous look at college football by State News pigskin reporters. Reach Romando J. Dixson at dixsonro@msu.edu and Eric McKinney at mckinn54@msu.edu
