#3 Penn State @ #9 Ohio State
Saturday, October 25 - 8:00 EST
Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Stadium
Penn State -2.5
Summary
The last time Joe Paterno won in Columbus, Jimmy Carter was president...Spetember 16, 1978, the Nittany Lions shutout Woody Hayes 19-0...in that game, Hayes shocked the crowd by starting a freshman quarterback named Art Schlichter...
Since joining the Big Ten, Paterno is 0-7 at Ohio Stadium...he has come close a few times, most notably was in 2002 when Penn State held the Buckeyes without an offensive touchdown, only to lose 13-7...the last time JoePa was in Columbus, he had to leave the field twice for bathrooms breaks...
The Penn State offense is engineered by Youngstown, Ohio native Daryll Clark who has thrown 11 TDs this season...the run game is led by Evan Royster (photo, below) who has 893 yards and 10 TDS...Deon Butler, Derrick Williams, and Jordan Norwood are the main weapons at the receiver position...
The one who got away is now the one who stands in the way - Terrelle Pryor...during the winter, Pryor, from Jeanette, Pa., played Penn State like Charlie Daniels plays a fiddle...thinking they had a chance at him, Penn State assistant Tom Bradley was basically living in the small Pa. town...in the end Pryor wanted to be a Buckeye...now he has a chance to show up his possible teammates once again...
The Buckeyes like to run the ball with Chris Wells and Dan Herron...when they go to the air, it is usually going to Brian Robiske...the defense is loaded with big name players, who have yet to come up big in a national game...with his win last week against Michigan State, Jim Tressel became the fastest Big Ten coach to reach 80 total wins in his first 8 seasons...Tressel is currently the Big Ten's second winningest coach all-time with a winning percentage of .825 which is .08 behind Fielding Yost of Michigan...
Quick Numbers
Offensive Numbers
PSU - Rushing per game - 234 yards
OSU - Rushing per game - 182 yards
PSU - Passing per game - 248 yards
OSU - Passing per game - 140 yards
Defensive Numbers
PSU - Rushing allowed - 103 yards
OSU - Rushing allowed - 97 yards
PSU - Passing allowed - 159 yards
OSU - Passing allowed - 168 yards
- Over the last 3 years, Penn State is 1-5 against the spread when the line is +3 to -3
- Over the last 3 years, Ohio State is 4-0 against the spread when the line is +3 to -3
- Since 1992, Ohio State is 7-0 against the spread and straight up at home against Penn State
What the experts say
The Gold Sheet - Penn State 27-20
Power Sweep - Penn State 21-20
Point Wise - Penn State 27-20
Penn State Nittany Lions (8-0) - Head Coach Joe Paterno
The following are the Penn State game notes for the Ohio State game...Penn State Game NotesFor more on Penn State football, check out the blog - Black Shoes Diary...Black Shoes DiaryRon Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes how Penn State has been able to vanquish past Big Ten demons - is OSU next?... "Long before the seas
on began, many were predicting a Red October for Penn State. The gloomy forecast was based on the Nittany Lions' past performances against Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State and the fact that the Lions had to play those three traditional Big Ten powers during a three-week stretch. Penn State was a combined 5-16 against that trio since 2000." ...Ron MusselmanJeff Rice of the State College Centre Daily writes about Penn State's woes at Ohio Stadium... "In seven games against Ohio State in the Horseshoe since 1993, the Nittany Lions have managed a total of five touchdowns. In those games, the Buckeyes have scored eight touchdowns via interception, fumble or kick returns." ...Jeff RiceMusselman writes how Penn State tried hard to get Terrelle Pryor - now he stands in their way to a perfect season... "Instead, Pryor, the most sought-after high school recruit in the country, chose Ohio State. Instead of playing for Paterno, who sometimes has been reluctant to start freshmen athletes, Pryor, 19, is calling the plays for another national football powerhouse." ... Ron MusselmanOhio State Buckeyes (7-1) - Head Coach Jim Tressel
The following are the Ohio State game notes for the Penn State game... Ohio State Game NotesFor more information about Ohio State football, check out the blog - Around the Oval... Around the OvalAdam Rittenberg of ESPN's Blog Nation writes how Ohio State is playing the no respect card... "Added Buckeyes cornerback Malcolm Jenkins: "If we could come ou
t with a win, it would force some people to respect us again because we pretty much don't have any right now." ... Adam RittenbergFormer Ohio State walk-on Drew Norman gives his thoughts about the upcoming game in the Columbus Dispatch... "Saturday will be the eighth time Jim Tressel has led Ohio State into battle against Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions. The first seven games between JoePa and Coach Tressel have produced some of the best games in recent memory in not only the Big Ten, but the entire country. When the Buckeyes and Lions get together, there are several things you're guaranteed to see." ... Drew NormanTim May of the Columbus Dispatch writes how Jim Tressel wants a Sea of Red on Saturday... "Jim Tressel showed up at his weekly media luncheon today wearing a bright scarlet jacket and urged Ohio State fans to follow his lead when Penn State comes to town Saturday." ... Tim MayDoug Lesmerises of the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer writes about Youngstown, Ohio native and Penn State starting quarterback Daryll Clark... "In a season in which Ohio State coach Jim Tressel quickly benched senior drop-back quarterback Todd Boeckman in favor of more mobile freshman Terrelle Pryor, No. 3 Penn State enters as an example of what can happen when you stick with a veteran." ... Doug Lesmerises Lesmerises writes about Penn State and their standard uniform and how Malcolm Jenkins did not want to go there... "That's why when Nike creative director Todd Van Horne and his people meet with coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State administration, they don't go in advocating change." ...
Doug Lesmerises
#7 Georgia vs. #13 LSU
Saturday, October 25 - 3:30 EST
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU -2.5
Chris Low of ESPN Blog Nation gives a brief summary comparing Les Miles and Mark Richt... Chris Low
Quick Numbers
Offensive Numbers
Ga. - Rushing per game - 169 yards
LSU - Rushing per game - 178 yards
Ga. - Passing per game - 260 yards
LSU - Passing per game - 222 yards
Defensive Numbers
Ga. - Rushing allowed - 61 yards
LSU - Rushing allowed - 96 yards
Ga. - Passing allowed - 208 yards
LSU - Passing allowed - 199 yards
- Over the last 3 years, Georgia is 5-1 against the spread as an underdog
- Over the last 3 years, LSU is 6-8 against the spread when coming off a win against a conference rival and 0-2 this year
- 4 of 5 games in this series have gone over the total points since 1992
What the experts say
The Gold Sheet - LSU 26-20
Power Sweep - Georgia 26-17
Point Wise - LSU 27-20
Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) - Head Coach Mark Richt
The following are the Georgia game notes for the LSU game... Georgia Game NotesFor more information about Georgia football, check out the blog - Dawg Sports... Dawg SportsTim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes if Georgia's inexperienced O-line will be able to handle the LSU defense... "Richt and others have praised the
line’s recent progress. But the challenge the group faces from LSU will be “very similar,” Richt said, to that posed by Alabama in Georgia’s lone loss." ... Tim TuckerTucker writes how closer-than-expected wins are common in the SEC... "But while routs rule in some leagues, close games dominate in the SEC. Eighteen of the 25 intra-conference games played in the SEC this season — 72 percent — have been decided by 10 points or less." ... Chris FowlerMarc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes how the Georgia D-line is getting inside info from a former LSU assistant who is now with the Dawgs... "The senior sought out the inside skinny from Stacy Searels, who coached the LSU offensive line for four seasons from 2003-06 and now is in his second year coaching the same position for the Bulldogs." ... Marc WeiszerLSU Tigers (5-1) - Head Coach Les Miles
The following are the LSU game notes for the Georgia game... LSU Game NotesFor more information about LSU football, check out the blog - And the Valley Shook... And the Valley ShookGeorge Morris of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how the LSU running back by committee is not led by veteran Keiland Williams... "When the 2008 season open
ed, however, Charles Scott stepped on the field first. And, after taking the first handoff 56 yards, Scott was the committee chairman. And vice chairman. And every other office, including parliamentarian." ... George MorrisRandy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how special it is when LSU and Georgia play each other because they are not on the regular rotation... "In Southeastern Conference football, the quirky rotation of Western and Eastern Division matchups — necessitated by the permanent opponent setup — leads to old rivals not seeing each other for years at a time. So when a juicy inter-division game pops up on the schedule, it’s like Uncle Jack is on his way." ... Randy RosettaJames Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes LSU may be shaky at QB, but they have plenty of options elsewhere... "LSU runs jailbreak screens underneath coverage and flanker screens out of five-wide sets. Hatch and Lee often employ a two-handed play-action maneuver -- sometimes deep in the backfield and in obvious passing situations -- reminiscent of a wishbone quarterback faking to the fullback. The Tigers' leading rusher, Charles Scott, has lined up as a tailback in some sets and a fullback in others. Tailback Richard Murphy has taken direct snaps, and both he and Keiland Williams are receiving targets." ... James Varney
ESPN's Chris Fowler writes that a win in Columbus for Penn State may still not be enough... "The Big Ten is viewed as a pretty weak conference, but it has been a team effort. Mediocrity reigns. A key blow is that Wisconsin (with four straight losses) now ranks among the nation's most disappointing teams. The Badgers' meltdown and Michigan's struggles are depriving Penn State of quality wins." ... Chris Fowler
Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about former NBA and Sooner great Wayman Tisdale who lost a leg due to bone cancer... "Diagnosed early last year with bone cancer in his leg, Tisdale fought the disease for a year and a half before doctors determined the treatment hadn’t eliminated it. His leg was amputated just above his knee on Aug. 25 in hopes of eradicating the cancer." ... Jenni Carlson
#6 Oklahoma State vs. #1 Texas
Saturday, October 25 - 3:30 EST
Darrel K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium
Austin, Texas
Texas -13.5
Summary
At the start of the season, who would have thunk it?...both Oklahoma State and Texas are coming into this game with perfect 7-0 marks...not too many people...
Okie State keeps rolling along...QB Zac Robinson is third in the nation in passing efficiency while RB Kendall Hunter is sixth in rushing with a 136 yards/game...WR Dez Bryant is fourth in total receiving yards with 809...the offense gets most of the attention in Stillwater, but the Okie State defense is not that bad...the defense is led by junior LB Andre Sexton...Jeremiah Price leads the team in sacks and Patrick Lavine is the top Poke in INTs... this is Okie State's third road game of the year...they are winning on the road by an average score of 33-18...
Another week, another big game for Texas...Colt McCoy is still leading the Horns in rushing, but Chris Ogbonnaya (photo, below) is coming on strong...Ogbonnaya is a 6'1", 225 lb senior running back...the force on defense is DE Brian Orakpo who will be a First Team All-American at the end of the season...
Quick Numbers
Offensive Numbers
OSU - Rushing per game - 283 yards
Tex - Rushing per game - 193 yards
OSU - Passing per game - 218 yards
Tex - Passing per game - 290 yards
Defensive Numbers
OSU - Rushing allowed - 116 yards
Tex - Rushing allowed - 48 yards
OSU - Passing allowed - 219 yards
Tex - Passing allowed - 275 yards
- Over the last 3 years, Okie State is 1-2 against the spread as an underdog of 10.5 to 21 points
- Over the last 3 years, Texas is 3-5 against the spread as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points
- Over the last 3 years, Okie State is 6-8 straight up in road games
What the experts say
The Gold Sheet - Texas 38-31
Power Sweep - Texas 41-31
Point Wise - Texas 47-34
Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0) - Head Coach Mike Gundy
Here are the Oklahoma State game notes for the Texas game... Oklahoma State Game Notes
Christopher Shelton of the Stillwater News-Press writes how the Pokes have come a long way since last season... "Junior quarterback Zac Robinson said he got chills when he considered the magnitude of the upcoming Cowboys-Longhorns battle. However, he added that the team will approach the contest the same way they prepare for every other game they play." ... Christopher SheltonJohn Rohde of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes how Okie State controls its own destiny... "If the Cowboys keep on winning, it won’t matter what the Sooners or anyone else does because OSU would be headed for the national title game in Miami." ... John RohdeScott Wright of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes how Randy Moss was a big reason Okie State receiver Dez Bryant (photo) went to Stillwater... "But when it comes to players like Bryant — a guy with the talent to play anywhere in the country — it isn’t always the obvious attractions that draw them to a particular school." ... Scott WrightBill Haisten of the Tulsa World writes about the battle between the Okie State running game and the Texas run defense... "Texas ranks No. 2 nationally in run defense. The Longhorns have allowed only 48.1 rushing yards per game. The Oklahoma State rushing attack is the fifth-most productive in college football." ... Bill HaistenAndrea Cohen of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about the Okie State secondary who will face Colt McCoy... "On Saturday, Oklahoma State’s secondary — which nicknamed itself the "D-Block” last season — will be seriously tested by Colt McCoy, the hottest quarterback in the country, and the Longhorns’ receivers. If McCoy "can’t beat” the D-Block, OSU’s odds of beating the country’s No. 1 team improve dramatically." ... Andrea CohenTexas Longhorns (7-0) - Head Coach Mack Brown
Here are the Texas game notes for the Oklahoma State game... Texas Game NotesSuzanne Haliburton of the Austin American-Statesman writes how Ma
ck Brown is motivating his team this week... "The Oklahoma game ball, complete with a funeral theme, was buried at the Texas practice field early last week. Two days later, Sports Illustrated cover boy Colt McCoy took the magazine from his locker and tossed it in the trash to the delight of his teammates." ... Suzanne HaliburtonJimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that a shootout may occur in Austin on Saturday... "Heading into Saturday’s game against No. 7 Oklahoma State (2:30 p.m., Austin), McCoy’s 2008 statistics inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium include an 86.4 completion rate (89-of-103), with 1,073 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and no interceptions." ... Jimmy BurchTim Griffin of ESPN Blog Nation writes how Mack Brown enjoys drawing his points... "After beating Oklahoma, Brown sketched a ladder and had the Longhorns climbing it. He continued on that theme this week, after Texas' 56-31 victory over Missouri enabled it to claim No.1 spot in the initial BCS standings." ... Tim GriffinKirk Bohls of the Austin American Statesman writes about the team chemistry of the Texas Longhorns... "Among the first racing onto the field for the ensuing celebration were Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley, one the Heisman Trophy frontrunner and the other the star of Texas' statement victory over Oklahoma. Two leaders leading." ... Kirk Bohls
This past Friday, ESPN's Lou Holtz made a poor decision when he made a comparison of Michigan's Rich Rodriguez with that of Adolph Hitler...Holtz left himself wide open as some bloggers, such as The Big Lead and Deadspin, and liberal media wonks are trying to get Holtz fired...
Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel wrote:
That ESPN needs to fire, or at the very least suspend, Lou Holtz. I get that Holtz plays the funny, lighthearted sideshow on ESPN's studio shows. I get that the network doesn't seem to mind that the former coach offers almost no actual substantive analysis. But like they say, it's all fun and games until someone pokes his eye out -- or, in Holtz's case, compares Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez to Adolf Hitler.
Holtz apologized Saturday for his bizarre, incredibly offensive remark. TV personalities spend hours and hours talking, which means they're bound to eventually say something they regret. Usually it's enough just to apologize and move on. But Holtz went waaaaay out of bounds. Sports commentators have been fired in the past for making racially insensitive remarks. You would think the same rule applies when making light of a man that killed 6 million innocent people on the basis of their religion -- but as of Sunday afternoon, the network had yet to issue any reprimand.
Of the many comments left for Mandel, this one caught my attention:
Mandel, where was the outrage when Madonna compared John McCain to Hitler?
This person hit it right on the button...I am neither liberal nor conservative, but i think it stinks when the liberal media and bloggers will go after a 71-year-old man who clearly misspoke...but none of them have the grapefruits to take on the left-wing liberal nutjob Madonna...this is a woman who hasn't lived in this country for the last 5 years...instead of posting half naked women, why doesn't Deadspin or The Big Lead look into when the last time Madonna voted in a United States presidential election?...
I am a 100% Michigan Man, but I have no problem with what Holtz said because it was an obvious error in judgement - he misspoke!!!...haven't we all said something that came out the wrong way?...
So the highly moral Stewart Mandel should get back to writing about college football...and bloggers like Deadspin and The Big Lead should worry less about trying to get a feather in their cap by trying to get an old man fired...
With the World Series now upon us, Stiles Points will be reflecting back on some anniversary moments of the World Series...
It was exactly 10 years ago today that the New York Yankees completed their 4-game sweep of the San Diego Padres to claim the 1998 World Series...this was the first of three straight World Series title for the Yankees...
Third baseman Scott Brosius (photo, right) was named the Series MVP as he batted .471 with two homers and 6 RBIs...another star was first baseman Tino Martinez (photo, below) who hit .385 for the Series, but his biggest hit occurred in Game 1 when he broke open a close game with a gra
nd slam in the 7th inning...Derek Jeter and Chuck Knoblauch were also solid with .353 and .375 averages respectively...
Mariano Rivera recorded three saves in Series and did not allow a run...the only disappointment for the Yankees was the play of centerfield Bernie Williams who batted .063 and had only one hit...
With Joe Torre as the manager, the Yankees posted a 114-48 regular season mark...including the post-season, New York finished with 125 wins, which is the most ever by a team in a single season...just one year earlier, the Yankees were defeated by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS...immediately after the game, owner George Steinbrenner vowed that the Yankees would win the Series next year...
The latest Stiles Points Top 16+1 (games through 10/18/08)...this is the third week of the Top 16+1...the Longhorns have a solid grip of #1 after their beatdown of Missouri...this coming Satuday is "Knockout Saturday" in which the loser of a few games will be knocked out of the national title picture... (note, the second number in parenthesis is the previous week's ranking)...
1. Texas (7-0) (1) - Texas showed right from the get-go that there was not going to be any letdown from the Oklahoma victory...Okie State comes calling this Saturday...
2. Penn State (8-0) (2) - JoePa has not won in Columbus since he beat Woody Hayes 19-0 in 1978...this may be his best shot...3. Alabama (7-0) (3) - the Tide has been winning ugly of late...they cannot sleep on Tennessee this week...
4. Southern Cal (7-1) (4) - 69-0!...I think the Trojans are mad...
5. Oklahoma (6-1) (5) - a nice bounce back win against a very pesky Kansas team...
6. Florida (5-1) (7) - the Gators were idle...
7. Georgia (6-1) (8) - Vandy's days are done after Dawgs bite them...
8. Texas Tech (7-0) (9) - T2 had a tough battle at A&M but took care of business in the end...they have a tough one at Kansas this week...better be on Upset Alert...
9. Oklahoma State (7-0) (10) - no let down as they took care of business at Baylor...this is the Pokes chance - they march into Texas on Saturday...
10. LSU (5-1) (12) - they scummed out a tough win at South Carolina...the loser of this week's Georgia-LSU game is out of the picture...
11. Ohio State (7-1) (13) - Ohio State throttled a good Michigan State team...a win this week against Penn State and a few other upsets may land Ohio State back in the BCS title game...
12. Utah (8-0) (15) - the spotlight is now on Utah after BYU got dumped by TCU...13. Pitt (5-1) (NR) - the Panthers impressed me by whooping on Navy this week...who knows what could have been if not for the Bowling Green loss in week 1...
14. TCU (7-1) (NR) - the Horned Frogs stunned BYU...their only loss was to Oklahoma...
15. Boise State (6-0) (NR) - Ian Johnson is still running the ball on the blue rug...
16. Kansas (6-2) (14) - I have a feeling the Fighting Manginos are going to upset Texas Tech...
+1 - Boston College (5-1) - remember when BC jumped to #2 in the nation last season...after losing Matt Ryan, the Eagles are quietly putting together another solid team...
Heisman Four Horsemen
1. Colt McCoy, qb, Texas - he is getting a firm grip on the Heisman...
2. Daryll Clark, qb, Penn State - an impressive performance this Saturday at Ohio State will make him a legitimate threat to McCoy...
3. Sam Bradford, qb, Oklahoma - he is still in the race...
4. Tim Tebow, qb, Florida - did not play this week...Games of the Week
Stiles Points will be previewing the following three games this week:
Georgia @ LSU - the loser will be out of the title picture...
Oklahoma State @ Texas - both are undefeated...a loss will hurt their chances...
Penn State @ Ohio State - the loser is out of the BCS title game...
Other games to keep an eye on:
Michigan State @ Michigan - Sparty should be ashamed of their showing against Ohio State...they can redeem themselves by beating a hated rival...Alabama @ Tennessee- Alabama is the better team, but they cannot sleep on this big rival game...the Volunteers have the talent to pull an upset...
Southern Cal @ Arizona - the Trojans smashed Wazzou on Saturday...Arizona is a sneaky team that could make things interesting...
Boston College @ North Carolina - BC has only 1 loss this year and the Tar Heels are coming off a heartbreaking OT loss at Virginia...take UNC...
#3 Penn State @ #9 Ohio State
on began, many were predicting a Red October for Penn State. The gloomy forecast was based on the Nittany Lions' past performances against Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State and the fact that the Lions had to play those three traditional Big Ten powers during a three-week stretch. Penn State was a combined 5-16 against that trio since 2000." ...
t with a win, it would force some people to respect us again because we pretty much don't have any right now." ... 
