Death Ro and McSkinny are dead even after trying to predict 48 games
Death Ro (29-19) evened the overall records, going 4-1 for the second straight week, while McSkinny (29-19) went 3-2 for the second time in as many weeks. The difference-maker proved to be the MSU vs. Michigan matchup. McSkinny couldn’t bring himself to pick U-M over the Spartans, but Death Ro was more than happy to capitalize on his partner’s school spirit.
Oh yeah, both were right when they picked The State News to beat the Michigan Daily. The S’news triumphed 10-3 (70-21, as Death Ro likes to say).
MSU vs. Indiana
Recordwise, two of the worst teams in the Big Ten will face off in Bloomington, Ind. Believe it or not, the Spartans (3-6 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) and Hoosiers (3-6, 1-4) still have a mathematical chance at making a bowl game.
Death Ro - First of all, the aforementioned proves that math is useless. Second, I want to apologize to all of our readers for referring to either of these teams and a bowl game in the same sentence (sorry, again). But since both teams are just one loss away from being officially eliminated from postseason play, finally, insanely optimistic fans of either team can start looking forward to the upcoming basketball season.
When teams that are having equally terrible seasons meet, there is no common-sense method to choosing a winner. But I’ll try. MSU has been wretched on the road the past two and a half seasons. However, Indiana lost to Northwestern - the only team that the Spartans have managed to defeat in conference play. Who cares? IU 35, MSU 34
McSkinny - Regretfully, my counterpart and I will be forced to watch this game. The rest of the world will be spared as no network is foolish enough to broadcast it.
But one thing must be kept in mind: Just because one team will still have a chance at a bowl game doesn’t mean either will go. As for the actual game, I was taught if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all. MSU 24, IU 14
No. 2 Miami vs. Tennessee
The Hurricanes (8-0) needed a 28-point fourth quarter to avoid a scare at Rutgers last Saturday. But despite remaining undefeated, Miami dropped to No. 2 and No. 3 in the latest Bowl Championship Series poll.
On the flip side, the Volunteers (5-3) have had a disappointing season.
McSkinny - This one has all the makings for an upset, especially being in Knoxville. And if it wasn’t for the fact that Miami was finally punished for its going-through-the-motions play, I’d call Tennessee.
But after seeing Ohio State jump ahead of them in the BCS, the Hurricanes finally have something to play for right now. Sure, they know they’re the most talented team in the country. But until now they’ve just been going half-speed and waiting for the Fiesta Bowl.
Look for a statement game from Miami. Miami 45, UT 17
Death Ro - Well, I don’t think the Hurricanes have been going half-speed. It’s just time for people to admit they’re not as good as we thought they were. At the beginning of the season, I thought this would be the game that the ’Canes would slip up. But they can slip, fall and still get back up in time to beat this underachieving Volunteer team. Miami 35, UT 33.
No. 5 Washington State vs. No. 15 Oregon
Oregon (7-2) needs to win if it wants to have a chance at the Pac-10 title. But the Cougars (8-1) have home-field advantage.
McSkinny - The Cougars are perfect in their conference and can taste the Rose Bowl. And you can bet Washington State likes the sound of that.
Last week, Cougar quarterback Jason Gesser tossed three touchdowns in a rout of Arizona State. And with the Ducks’ defense, you can expect at least three tallies this week.
Onterrio Smith will do his best to keep things close. But the power of the duck just isn’t enough, no matter how many new mascots Oregon unveils. WSU 31, OU 24
Death Ro - This is a key Pac-10 matchup so we know what to expect - high-scoring offenses and poor, pathetic, anemic defenses. Both teams have scored 40-plus points four times this year and that’s a possibility in this game as well. But eventually someone’s offense will get too tired to score and the game will end. WSU 52, OU 44 (3 OT’s)
No. 12 Kansas State vs.No. 21 Iowa State
The Cyclones (7-3) travel to Manhattan, Kan., looking to ruin homecoming for the Wildcat faithful, but Kansas State has won 12 straight homecoming games.
Death Ro - This game features two of the better running quarterbacks in the country - ISU’s Seneca Wallace and K-State’s Ell Roberson - who should provide some exciting moments. The Wildcats actually have impressed me on both sides of the ball this season. The defense will have its hands full with Wallace, but he won’t run wild. Offensively, I think if I were the quarterback, the Cyclones would have a tough time stopping me from running wild. KSU 38, ISU 35
McSkinny - The answer to this Big 12 showdown is defense. And since the Cyclones don’t have any, look for the Wildcats to make it 13 straight.
Wallace will still make it a good show for anyone not suffering through the Spartans woeful game, but he can’t do it alone. And since Iowa State doesn’t really have anyone else to carry the load it’ll be a good night in Manhattan. KSU 34, ISU 27
No. 14 N.C. State vs. Maryland
The Wolfpack is steaming after having its dream of an undefeated season foiled by Georgia Tech last week, while the Terrapins are on a six-game winning streak since dropping two of their first three games.
Death Ro - The Wolfpack let down all of the BCS-haters when it folded against the Yellow Jackets. And don’t expect the boys from North Carolina to go into College Park and stop the bleeding. Expect an Air Forcelike freefall in the polls. Maryland 30, NCSU 26
McSkinny - Now, I was never a believer in a Wolfpack title-run. But the boys from down south can still play some pretty good football.
Philip Rivers will rally the troops and get the Wolfpack back on the prowl.
Sure, their pipedreams of a national championship are over, but N.C. State is still a front-runner for the ACC title. NCSU 27, Maryland 17
Pigskin Prognosticators is a look at college football by State News pigskin reporters. Reach Romando J. Dixson at dixsonro@msu.edu and Eric McKinney at mckinn54@msu.edu.
