Posted: Friday August 29, 2003 1:48PM; Updated: Friday August 29, 2003 6:24PM 
 |
Each Friday, SI.com's Stewart Mandel weighs in
with his forecast of the weekend's biggest games. |
| Sat., August 30 |
 
Sat., 8 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 17 Washington (0-0) at No. 2 Ohio State (0-0)
OK, raise your hand if you're one of the many who looked at this game on the schedule last winter and said, "Well, you've got to figure by then that Maurice Clarett will be on the scout team and Rick Neuheisel will be coaching high school quarterbacks."
Ohio State 31, Washington 14 |
 
Sat., 6 p.m. EDT | CBS |
No. 8 USC (0-0) at No. 6 Auburn (0-0)
I've heard it a hundred times during the endless build-up for this game: "Just wait 'til USC steps into that Alabama heat ..." C'mon, Tiger fans, that's the best you got? You think a little sweat is going to knock Reggie Bush and Mike Williams on their butts?
USC 24, Auburn 16 |
 
Sat., Noon EDT | ABC |
No. 11 Georgia (0-0) at Clemson (0-0)
So I pulled out my Georgia preseason two-deep to figure out how many guys on the defense are either injured or suspended --then I started to realize it would be easier to count the ones that aren't. Not the best time to be facing a hungry Clemson offense.
Clemson 35, Georgia 31 |
 
Sat., 8 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 21 Wisconsin (0-0) at West Virginia (0-0)
This is going to be like watching an intrasquad scrimmage. Both teams generate a powerful running game while using spread formations. Both teams have underrated quarterbacks and promising receiver corps. Can we reinstitute the tie?
Wisconsin 27, West Virginia 25 |
 
Sat., 7:45 p.m. EDT | ESPN
at Denver |
No. 23 Colorado State (0-0) vs. Colorado (0-0)
It's not every day that a Mountain West team goes into a game against the two-time defending Big 12 North champ as the prohibitive favorite -- and has the recent track record to prove it. New year, same result.
Colorado State 26, Colorado 17 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EDT | ABC |
No. 24 Oklahoma State (0-0) at Nebraska (0-0)
If I'm Oklahoma State, I'm taking full advantage of this Rahsaun and D'Jaun Woods thing. They look exactly the same. Have them discreetly change jerseys before one play, so Nebraska puts its No. 2 corner on Rashaun, and then let him fly. Short of that ...
Nebraska 27, Oklahoma State 23 |
 
Sat., Noon EDT | ABC
at St. Louis |
Missouri (0-0) vs. Illinois (0-0)
Rarely has there been so much anticipation in Columbia for the start of football season. A potential superstar quarterback. The possibility of their first bowl game in five years. And, oh yeah, it's a team the FBI has yet to investigate.
Missouri 30, Illinois 24 |
 
Sat., Noon EDT | ESPN2 |
Miami of Ohio (0-0) at Iowa (0-0)
This week's upset special. The RedHawks got me off to a good start last year when I picked them to knock off North Carolina. Figure they can come through again against the Brad Banks-less Hawkeyes. Then again, a year ago this time, who was Brad Banks?
Miami of Ohio 24, Iowa 20 |
|
|
|
|
