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When I first saw the line on the UCLA-Nebraska game, I figured it would be an easy win for the Cornhuskers. Even though it’s a road game, Nebraska fans travel well, largely negating UCLA’s home field advantage. 

Then I learned why UCLA was favored: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola is out. No Raiola, No ‘Braska. UCLA should win and cover. 

UCLA 24, Nebraska 21 (UCLA -1.5; O/U: 44.5)

𝐍𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐀 𝟐𝟖, 𝐔𝐂𝐋𝐀 𝟐𝟏 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Clemson 31, Florida State 28 (C -1.5; O/U: 56.5)

𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟒, 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏𝟎 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Florida 25, Kentucky 21 (F -3; O/U: 44.5)

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 𝟑𝟖, 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝟕 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

(Weekend record: 1 win, 2 losses, .333 winning percentage)

(Season record: 19 wins, 17 losses, 1 push. .527 winning percentage)

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Syracuse 26, North Carolina 23 (S -2; O/U: 46.5)

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝟐𝟕, 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝟏𝟎 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Clemson 29, Duke 27, (C -2.5; O/U: 54.5)

𝐃𝐔𝐊𝐄 𝟒𝟔, 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟒𝟓 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Bowling Green 24, Buffalo 20 (BG -2.5; O/U: 43.5)

𝐁𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐎 𝟐𝟖, 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟑 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

(1 win, 2 losses, .333 winning percentage)

(Season record: 18 wins, 15 losses, 1 push. .544 winning percentage)

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Duke is enjoying a pretty good season. This is thanks largely to quarterback Darian Mensah, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions. However, the law of averages affects everyone sooner or later. It should arrive Saturday when Clemson safety Ricardo Jones takes the field. Jones has three interceptions on the season, and he’ll increase that total against Mensah. Duke should cover the spread, but Clemson will get the win. 

Syracuse 26, North Carolina 23 (S -2; O/U: 46.5)

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝟐𝟕, 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝟏𝟎 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Clemson 29, Duke 27, (C -2.5; O/U: 54.5)

Bowling Green 24, Buffalo 20 (BG -2.5; O/U: 43.5)

(Season record: 17 wins, 13 losses, 1 push. .565 winning percentage)

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

The fifth and final installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1998. The previous year had been one of the greatest seasons of the last half century. Michigan fans, players, and alumni spent months basking in the glory. They followed that up with a stadium renovation that made Michigan Stadium the largest on-campus stadium in the nation. And the Wolverines signed Drew Henson, the nation’s top-rated quarterback prospect. It seemed as if there weren’t enough accolades in the world for the Michigan football program. 

Then came the hangover. Michigan lost its first two games of the 1998 season. By the fourth week of the season, the opponent was Michigan State, and the Spartans were hungry for some revenge. 

Plaxico Burress gave Michigan State an early 10-3 lead with a catch in the north end zone. He then introduced himself to Grady Brooks on the ensuing kickoff. The meeting didn’t go well for Brooks, and Michigan State wound up with the football. The Michigan defense stopped the Spartans, and then Anthony Thomas took matters into his own hands. Thomas ran 70 yards on a counter for the tying touchdown. With that play, Michigan was wide awake.  

Then a young quarterback named Tom Brady began to show off his talent. Brady displayed surgical precision in connecting with his receivers. His fade pass to Tai Streets in the north end zone gave Michigan its first lead of the game. As the teams went into the locker room at halftime, Michigan held a tenuous 3-point lead. It looked as if the 1998 game would be another nail-biter between the two in-state foes.

Instead, the second half showcased Michigan’s quiet dominance. The Wolverines produced the type of performance that has warmed the hearts of “Old Blues” for generations. Jay Feely made his third field goal of the day. Brady connected with Marcus Knight for what seemed like a 49-yard touchdown pass. The officials spotted the ball just short of the goal line. Then, Brady sneaked over for a touchdown to give Michigan the winning margin of 29-17. 

The Wolverines had a slow start that year. However, they enjoyed a fair amount of success in 1998. They finished the season with 10 wins. They also claimed a victory over Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl. The most critical win of the season was on a late September day against Michigan State. That day, the Wolverines got back to basics. 

The interesting game here is Northwestern at Nebraska. Quietly, Northwestern is building a pretty good defense. Redshirt junior Anto Saka leads the team with three sacks and linebacker Mac Uhlein is the team leader with three interceptions. The Wildcats are efficient and opportunistic, and they’ll look for opportunities at Nebraska. If Northwestern’s offense can keep from turning the ball over, the Wildcats have a chance to win this game outright.

Iowa State 28, BYU 24 (I -2.5; O/U: 49.5)

𝐁𝐘𝐔 𝟒𝟏, 𝐈𝐨𝐰𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟕 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Rutgers 27, Purdue 24 (R -2.5; O/U: 58.5)

𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝟐𝟕, 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝟐𝟒 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Northwestern 24, Nebraska 21 (Ne -7.5; O/U: 43.5)

𝐍𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐀 𝟐𝟖, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝟐𝟏 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

(Season record: 15 wins, 12 losses, 1 push. .554 winning percentage)

(Record today: 2 wins, 1 loss, .667 winning percentage)

(Season record after today: 17 wins, 13 losses, 1 push. .565 winning percentage)

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

The fourth installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1995. This series has a long history of giving first-year head coaches rude introductions to the rivalry. The Michigan State Spartans continued that tradition. They gave Michigan coach Lloyd Carr a greeting that was as cold as the chilly, snowy day in East Lansing. 

It started out well enough for Michigan. Remy Hamilton kicked a 35-yard field goal to put the Wolverines up, 3-0. Special teams play became a give and take proposition. Derrick Mason returned a punt for a 70-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That play turned the momentum in the Spartans’ favor. It’s always a challenge to trail Michigan State on the road in a rivalry game. 

Still, the Wolverines fought gamely as the struggle went back and forth. Quarterback Brian Griese connected with Mercury Hayes for a 22-yard touchdown pass. This play gave the Wolverines a 4-point lead. However, Michigan State still had 3:38 to work with. That was more than enough time. Then the ghosts of Paul Bunyan games past went to work. On a 4th down and 11 yards to do, Tony Banks connected with Mason along the Michigan sideline, and got the first down on a controversial spot. That play breathed new life into Michigan State. Michigan started missing tackles and Michigan State enjoyed some very fortunate bounces.  Finally, Banks connected with Nigea Carter, who twisted and turned his way into the end zone for the winning score, as Michigan State beat Michigan, 28-25. 

Michigan went on to finish the season with some excellent victories. However, on this day, the Spartans reminded Lloyd Carr of the challenges. It’s not easy for a newcomer to win in this rivalry. 

The third installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1997. The national economy was roaring, and so were the Michigan Wolverines. Years of hearing “The Block M stands for mediocrity” lit a fire under the Wolverines, and they approached every opponent with fierce intensity. 

But the Michigan State game always presents some unusual scenarios, so the Wolverines were prepared for a fight. Michigan State made the first big play when Bill Burke connected with Sedrick Irvin for an easy touchdown pass on a fake field goal, giving the Spartans a 7-3 lead. 

But this series has been built on running the football, and in the second quarter, the Wolverines embarked on a 95-yard drive puntucated by the hard running of Chris Howard, featuring a 51-yard run by Howard right up the middle. Brian Griese capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead for Michigan. 

Once Michigan grabbed the lead, the Wolverines took matters into their own hands on defense, literally. The Michigan defense intercepted six passes that day, two each by Marcus Ray and Charles Woodson, including a spectacular one-handed interception by Woodson along the sideline that will be shown on highlights for 100 years. 

When it was over, Michigan won, 23-7, retaining the Paul Bunyan Trophy. It marked another milestone for the Wolverines on their march to a historic season. The Wolverines finished with a perfect 12-0 record and were named national champions by the Associated Press. Head coach Lloyd Carr would become a fixture in Ann Arbor, and many players went on to enjoy excellent careers, notably Charles Woodson and Tom Brady. 

The second installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1990. Virtually every rivalry has its share of controversy, and this one is no exception. The Michigan Wolverines entered the ’90 game against Michigan State with a stellar roster. Defensive back Tripp Welborne and offensive linemen Greg Skrepenak and Dean Dingman were named to the All-America team. Additionally, eight Wolverines were named to the first team on the All-Big Ten squad. Player for player, the Wolverines could hang with any team in the country. 

The team with the better players doesn’t always win, though. This series, in particular, has a long history of odd bounces. And trips. 

Michigan receiver Desmond Howard has become a household name of the past 35-plus seasons. Howard won the Heisman Trophy, the Super Bowl MVP award, and has become a fixture on a ESPN’s “College Football Gameday.” 

Eddie Brown is a stark contrast to Howard. Brown played defensive back at Michigan State. He was a pretty good player, but his legacy is that he’s a footnote to college football history. 

Michigan State had played Michigan tough all day. The Spartans were led by running backs Tico Duckett and Hyland Hickson, who combined for 184 yards on the ground. Still, Michigan played gritty, tough football as well, and with the clock running down, the Wolverines had a chance to win. With 10 seconds left, Elvis Grbac threw a fade pass to Derrick Anderson. Derrick faked out the cornerback and caught an easy touchdown pass. This left Michigan trailing by one point. The Spartans had a decision to make. They could try to kick the extra point or go for a two-point conversion to win the game. 

Michigan coach Gary Moeller chose to go for two points and the win. That’s when Eddie Brown became of the great villains in the history of Michigan football. 

Brown took a calculated risk. Seeing Grbac standing in the pocket with Howard headed for the end zone, Brown knew he had a challenging situation on his hands. If Howard got the ball in his hands, Michigan would almost certainly win the game. So Brown made the only logical decision: He tripped Howard. 

The play unfolded in a surreal manner. For a millisecond, it appeared that Howard had the ball, and a comeback victory, in his grasp. But just as Michigan fans started to jump in exultation, the ball fell away, and the Spartans wound up celebrating. 

Michigan players looked around for a penalty flag that never appeared. Despite the obvious penalty, nothing was called, and Michigan State won, 28-27. Brown was grateful his teammates rushed him off the field quickly, well aware that he’d gotten away with the trip. Michigan players, fans, and alumni were dazed by the result. 

Michigan bounced back, ending the season with a 35-3 win over Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl. But that game against Michigan State continues to gnaw at Michigan fans. 

This content can also be found at newyorkwolverine.com. 

So, it’s shaping up to be an interesting football season. The first few weeks, LSU looked rejuvenated, but now it looks like head coach Brian Kelly needs an exit strategy, as does the school. Neither is well suited for the other. Kelly might be well advised to take an opening at a school with a lower football profile. LSU needs to start over, and put some more thought into the coaching search. 

Right now, it looks like Indiana and Ohio State are on a collision course in the Big Ten. Just a few years ago, Indiana fans were lamenting the loss of Tom Allen. Not anymore. 

LSU 24, Vanderbilt 17 (V -2.5; O/U: 48.5)

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐓 𝟑𝟏, 𝐋𝐒𝐔 𝟐𝟒 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

James Madison 24, Old Dominion 22 (JMU -1.5; O/U: 47.5)

𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝟔𝟑, 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟕 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Northwestern 25, Purdue 21 (NW -3; O/U: 46.5)

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝟏𝟗, 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝟎 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Cornell 28, Bucknell 25 (C -2.5; O/U: 57.5)

𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝟑𝟎, 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟎 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

(Season record, 15 wins, 12 losses, 1 push. .554 winning percentage)

NO SPREAD

Slippery Rock 30, Indiana University (PA) 21

𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝟑𝟎, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐏𝐀) 𝟐𝟎 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

This week’s series looks back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State. The first installment takes us back to 2006. The previous season had been a disappointment for Wolverine fans, but 2006 turned out to be a renaissance year. A big win over Notre Dame served notice that Michigan was back, setting the stage for a memorable season. 

This series has mostly been about smash-mouth football. However, every now and then, someone tries something new. Michigan State head coach John L. Smith was in his fourth season, and his teams ran a spread offense. By contrast, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr used a multiple offense. However, the Wolverines leaned heavily on a time-tested formula, relying on a stingy defense and the running of Mike Hart behind a dominant offensive line. On this day, Michigan’s reliable formula worked to perfection. As the game unfolded, Michigan used that balance to set up Chad Henne’s first touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington. This play put the Wolverines in front. In 2006, once the Michigan defense was handed a lead, the Wolverines were usually in pretty good shape.

With a 7-0 lead, Michigan continued to pound away with Hart running the ball, almost lulling the Spartans to sleep. After repeated runs, Henne found Mario Manningham wide open for a 41-yard touchdown pass, and the rout was on. 

From that pont, Michigan cruised to a 31-13 win that was most dominant than the score would indicate. The Wolverines were never seriously threatened, and this game set them on a collision course with Ohio State.