Both No. 1 (Jon Styf) and No. 2 (Jon Malavolti) finished barely above .500 after last weekend's results rolled in. No. 1 called the upset over the Spartans, while No. 2 stuck with that other team down the road, U-M, who pounded Notre Dame.
Each prognosticator turned up a 3-2 record, leaving No. 1 in the lead with an impressive 12-3 mark. No. 2 stands at 10-5.
Notre Dame vs. MSU
No. 2 - I don't know which team had it worse last weekend, the Irish or the Spartans.
Notre Dame was blown out by the Maize and Blue, 38-0, while MSU fell in the final seconds to Louisiana Tech, 20-19. I do know one thing for sure though: Both teams will be looking for redemption in the Battle for the Megaphone.
MSU's rush defense will finally be tested by a true running team this weekend in South Bend, Ind. But former Spartan player and now-Irish coach Tyrone Willingham won't allow his alma mater to walk all over his team as Michigan did last week. Expect this game to be the fierce battle it has been, regardless of how the teams played last weekend. ND 24, MSU 21
No. 1 - Honestly, this one is for Greg Taplin. He wasn't happy with my correct MSU pick last week, and he will be a key in this week's Spartans win.
It might look as if I can't handle the heat, but I truly believe the Spartans will fluster an inconsistent Carlyle Holiday, who can't handle the kind of pressure that Taplin and "Baby Huey" Matthias Askew will be bringing. The Irish might try to throw deep early - to targets such as Omar Jenkins, Rhema McKnight and Mo Stovall - trying to take advantage of a weaker Spartan secondary. But that will not be enough.
The last time MSU lost at Notre Dame was in 1993. Most of the current MSU players were in grade school back then. They aren't intimidated by the tradition and they will somehow make it work behind the arm of Jeff Smoker, who looks as if he will start the game. MSU 28, ND 26
No. 22 Oregon vs. No. 3 Michigan
No. 2 - I was wrong last week, I will admit that. Georgia's mascot UGA VI, and maybe even Big House inhabitant, might not be the ugliest things in college football. Oregon's bright yellow unis and new mutant mascot are uglier. But anyway, I'm over my infatuation with PAC-10 teams. This game is no contest. Michigan shouldn't have any trouble rolling over the ugly Ducks with Chris Perry in the backfield. U-M 34, OU 17
No. 1 - Ducks fly together? Scratch that. The Autzen Stadium crowd will rock Eugene.
The two-quarterback attack of former child actor Jason Fife (see "Addams Family Values," Camper #1) and the Oregonian Kellen Clemons is a bruiser. Sure, Chris Perry will run, but not fast enough to keep up with the Oregon passing attack.
The Wolverines will fold under the pressure from the hostile crowd in faraway Oregon. Oregon 35, U-M 25
No. 11 LSU vs. No. 7 Georgia
No. 1 - Oh, good ol' Nick Saban. The coach players love to hate but continues to win and bring in better recruiting classes each season.
ESPN "College Gameday" will be in Baton Rouge, La., and the Tigers will romp the Bulldogs. Former Lansing Lugnut Matt Mauck is the LSU quarterback and better than ever. He'll lead Saban's Tigers to a close win over David Greene and UGA. LSU 41, UGA 38
No. 2 - Words can't describe Spartans fans' feelings toward Nick Saban. Well, actually a few four-letter words could, but we can't print them.
The Bulldogs will roll through LSU like Hurricane Isabel. LSU is averaging 47.7 points per game, but who have they played? LSU's nonconference schedule included Lousiana-Monroe, Arizona and Western Illinois - that's two cupcakes and a bran muffin.
Saban and company will stumble in their first few weeks of conference play as they adjust to real football programs. They do have one more nonconference game against a certain technical school from Louisiana. We'll make sure Saban can't get his greedy hands on any of last week's game tape.
Georgia is already 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference after beating up on the Gamecocks of South Carolina last week, 31-7. Georgia will have a tough time defending its conference crown but it should take care of business this weekend. UGA 34, LSU 28
No. 18 Iowa vs. No. 16 Arizona State
No. 1 - ASU freshman running back Loren "don't call me Woods" Wade is surprising, taking over a position that many assumed would be filled by Cornell Canidate (Trung's sib).
Iowa is a good team and Kirk Ferentz is a better coach, but the offensive line (which includes his son) is inexperienced. However, senior tackle Robert Gallery is good and will lead the charge in front of tailback Fred Russel. Don't think for a minute that Andrew Walter will march into a Big Ten stadium and beat a Big Ten team. Iowa 32, ASU 21
No. 2 - The Sun Devils return 17 starters, including quarterback Andrew Walter who passed for 3,877 yards last season. Iowa returns 13 starters, but unfortunately not one of them is named Brad Banks.
The Hawkeyes are going to have a tough time with Arizona State, even at home. This should be a good game, but Iowa's roller-coaster ride to cloud nine last season is ready to plunge back down to earth. ASU 21, Iowa 19
