Upsets, Florida showdown on tap in NCAA this weekend
Upset Specials
Oregon State at Boise State
9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10
Quick, who holds the longest win streak in Division I? Yesit’s the 12-game streak of the three-time defending WACchampion Broncos who finally get a big name opponent to travel tothe blue turf in Boise.
The offensive names change, but the results stay the same forthe Broncos as sophomore Jared Zabransky stepped into thequarterback spot with a 65-7 win over Idaho to open the season.
I wish that Oregon State had held on in Baton Rouge against LSUbecause I would like to see this game get the national attention itdeserves. I would pick the Broncos either way, but my picksolidified with the Beaver loss because I just don’t see howthe Beaver players respond emotionally for a quick turnaround gameon Friday night.
The Pick: Boise St. 31-17
Fresno State at No. 12 Kansas State
TBA, Saturday, Sept. 11
The Bulldog defense showed just how good it is capable ofplaying last weekend in Seattle. Fresno State returned twointerceptions for touchdowns and they took a fumble to the house aswell. That’s why the Bulldog defense put up 21 points whileonly allowing 16 to Washington in a 35-16 romp over theHuskies.
Fresno returns 19 starters and is used to playing on the road asPat Hill schedules road trips to hostile environments everyyear.
Kansas State has human highlight Darren Sproles, but my gutfeeling says that Hill’s game plan takes advantage of theWildcats inexperienced quarterback Dylan Meier.
The Bulldogs get just enough from quarterback Paul Pineger andthe offense to keep it close, and the defense forces a lateturnover to set up the winning field to get the victory inManhattan, Kan.
The Pick: Fresno St. 20-17
The Big Game
No. 5 Florida State at No. 6 Miami
7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10
Nobody sends more players to the league than Miami (including 10first round draft picks since 2003) and Florida St. is always inthe top five of players drafted.
Both quarterbacks have a lot to prove. Seminole Chris Rix hasnever beaten Miami in four chances while Miami’s Brock Berlintook the blame for last season’s two losses and wants tosilence the critics this year.
On offense, Florida State will bring the same deep-pass orientedoffense with ACC track champion Craphonso Thorpe and Chris Davisrunning the post-corner route that should be renamed Seminolebecause of how often the ‘Noles use it.
The ‘Noles lose running back Greg Jones but haveexperience in the backfield with Lorenzo Booker and LeonWashington. The balanced attack should move the ball well on theyoung ‘Canes defense that has only five returningstarters.
The key will be if Rix’s brain is finally attached. If heavoids silly mistakes (like trying to throw on corner back AntrelRoll) the Seminoles offense will score points on Miami.
Miami returns three starters on the offensive line, which shouldhelp running backs Tyrone Moss and Frank Gore (back from anothertorn ACL) find holes.
Berlin doesn’t have Kellen Winslow anymore, but this ismore about Berlin than who he’s throwing it to. Miami willalways have playmakers on the ends and Berlin just has to do abetter job of getting it to them.
In my opinion this game has to mean more to Florida Statebecause Miami has absolutely owned them lately, and its time forRix to make a stand. The guy gets ripped (deservedly so) more thenany college quarterback in recent memory, and I think he finallydecides to do something about it.
The teams are matching up for their third meeting in 11 months,and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a fight at some pointduring the game. The ‘Noles will get a late interception bycorner Bryant McFaddon to hold on for a victory and a little bit ofredemption in Miami.
The Pick: Florida St. 28-24
Trent Redden is a junior finance and public policy major. Hecan be reached at [email protected].
