INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Looking Ahead
by Ivan Maisel
Posted: Wed November 12, 1997
WASHINGTON (7-2) AT UCLA (7-2)
If the Huskies are to play a second game in the Rose Bowl this
season, they better hope quarterback Brock Huard's sprained left
ankle heals in time for their first. If the Bruins expect to
play on their home field on Jan. 1, they must beat Washington
and hope the Huskies can recover to defeat Washington State on
Nov. 22. UCLA is healthy, at home and too powerful for Washington.
AUBURN (7-2) AT GEORGIA (7-1)
The oldest rivalry in the SEC has more at stake than it has had
in years. Despite an offense that has purred like a Yugo of
late, the Tigers are still in the SEC West race. A win for the
Bulldogs would keep their SEC title game hopes alive. Georgia
can run and pass. Auburn can't. Next question?
NOTRE DAME (4-5) AT LSU (7-2)
Death Valley no longer is fatal. The Tigers are 1-2 at home
against winning teams. Of course, the Irish don't qualify. Notre
Dame is yielding 188 rushing yards a game, and LSU has had six
of the top nine rushing performances in the SEC in 1997. Kevin
Faulk, get your rest. You'll be busy on Saturday.
PENN STATE (7-1) AT PURDUE (7-2)
The Boilermakers are fresh off a miracle: They scored 12 points
in the last two minutes to beat Michigan State 22-21 last
Saturday. The Nittany Lions are fresh in need of a miracle.
Purdue has what its visitors lack—call it rhythm, confidence,
whatever. But Joe Paterno's teams don't fall apart down the
stretch. A very shaky vote says this one won't crumble, either.
MICHIGAN (9-0) AT WISCONSIN (8-2)
Camp Randall Stadium is the toughest place to win on the road in
the Big Ten. Large, loud, unwelcoming—and those are just the
fans. If tailback Ron Dayne, who sprained his right ankle in
last Saturday's game, is ready, the Badgers have a chance, but
only if they catch the Wolverines basking in last week's glory.
Michigan's players seem too levelheaded for that.
Issue date: November 17, 1997
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