In anticipation for their trip to Ann Arbor this weekend, Uncle Joey and Crone decided it would be smart to try and fit in. But they ran into each other on the way.
No. 11 U-M (7-1 overall, 5-0 conference) vs. MSU (4-3, 3-1)
Crone - There is always a lot of talk about this game, usually the question is always - can MSU play with U-M?
The answer this season is, yes. MSU has the best offense in the Big Ten right now. It's better than Purdue's, better than Minnesota's and better than U-M's. However, I think U-M has the second best offense.
On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines have the more-talented defense, but if MSU plays the way they did against Minnesota, they'll have some success stopping U-M. Bottom line, this is going to be an old school backyard brawl with the tougher team, that day, winning out. U-M is tough, but on Saturday - behind the gutty Drew Stanton - MSU will be tougher.
MSU 34, U-M 30
Uncle Joey - U-M freshman running back Michael Hart has looked like the second coming of Chris Perry lately, rushing for 206 (against Purdue), 234 (Illinois) and 160 yards (Minnesota) in the Wolverines' past three games. The last thing the Spartans need is another version of Perry to go up against this weekend. Perry rushed 51 times (mind-boggling) for 219 yards in that game. Hart has also shown the ability to shoulder a heavy load; he has averaged 36 carries in his past three games.
Stopping Hart will be the key for MSU on Saturday. The Spartans will be able to score enough points to win, but if they allow Hart and the Wolverines to run the ball, control the clock and keep Drew Stanton off the field, it could be another long trip back from Ann Arbor.
MSU's defense made a strong statement by containing Minnesota's pair of running backs a couple weeks ago. Now it must make an equally strong statement.
I like MSU's confidence on both sides of the ball, especially offense, where Stanton is showing superior command and leadership. But the Spartans just don't play well in Ann Arbor and it seems like the Wolverines are finding ways to win games right now.
U-M 34, MSU 24
No. 20 Oklahoma St. (6-1, 3-1) vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0)
Crone - Sooner or later some of these undefeated teams have to lose. Remember it has been the Cowboys who have been the big hurdle each year for Oklahoma. That is again the case this season.
At 6-1, Oklahoma State is flying under the radar to the nation and are an extremely talented team. Everyone is talking about Sooners freshman running back Adrian Peterson, but what about Cowboys junior Vernand Morency? He has rushed for at least 111 yards in each of seven games this season. Morency runs Cowboys to an upset.
Oklahoma State 28, Oklahoma 24
Uncle Joey - The Sooners last week showed their passing game, if needed, can pick opponents apart and pile on the points. Oklahoma freshman running back Adrian Peterson had been shredding defenses for weeks, so Kansas concentrated on stuffing the freshman phenom. The result? Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, facing a shorthanded pass defense, threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns. Peterson meanwhile gained 126 yards in the Sooners' 41-10 win.
Oklahoma's offense is as talented as it is diverse. So much so that the poor Cowboys really don't have a chance, not even at home.
Oklahoma 35, Oklahoma State 14
No. 10 Georgia (6-1, 4-1) vs. Florida (4-3, 2-3)
Crone - Ron Zook has been fired, the team is 4-3 and rumors of the return of Spurrier are circling the campus in Gainsville, Fla.
All those factors make this a difficult week for the Gator players. But they still have a talented bunch behind sophomore quarterback Chris Leak. Leak needs a big game for Florida to have a chance.
Georgia has won two straight games after losing to Tennessee on Oct. 9, blowing out Vanderbilt and beating Arkansas by six. I look for the Bulldogs to continue to roll, as they are headed for a top 10 showdown on Nov. 13 with Auburn.
Georgia 23, Florida 17
Uncle Joey - The storyline here is the recent firing of Florida coach Ron Zook, who will be allowed to coach the Gators' remaining four games. Around MSU, Zook and Florida's situation is reminiscent of the 2002 Spartans, who underwent a mid-season coaching change when Morris Watts replaced Bobby Williams for the season's last three games.
The change in Florida has to be hard on the players, who know they are playing for a coach with no future on their team. That is not a good mindset to have the week before playing Georgia, arguably the best team in the SEC.
I'll take the Bulldogs in a rout because I can't picture the Gators being properly prepared for this game with all the distractions.
Georgia 31, Florida 17
