No. 11 Washington (0-0) at No. 13 Michigan (0-0)
Saturday, Noon EST (ABC)
Michigan Stadium (110,000+), Ann Arbor, Mich.
CNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel breaks down this week's big game.
It's a rematch that Michigan badly wants, and at home no less, after falling 23-18 in Seattle last year in a game it dominated for the first three quarters. That game turned on freakish circumstances, with Washington blocking a field goal and returning it for a touchdown, then returning a John Navarre interception for a touchdown two plays later. Both teams were young back then and went on to up-and-down 8-4 seasons. This time, they're both picked among the favorites in their conferences and should stage a far more entertaining show.
Washington's offense vs. Michigan's defense
Washington will try running the ball with slimmed-down Rich Alexis, but the more intriguing showdown involves the Pac-10's No. 2 pass offense of a year ago against a Michigan defense that led the nation with 50 sacks. The key for UW will be whether its offensive line -- featuring three sophomore starters -- can protect QB Cody Pickett against a Wolverine front that includes stud pass-rushers Dan Rumishek, Shantee Orr and Victor Hobson. If strong-armed Pickett does have time to deliver, he'll most likely be looking for star WR Reggie Williams, who's both big (6-4) and physical and can create matchup headaches for Michigan's secondary, as he did in his collegiate debut last year (four catches, 134 yards). Paul Arnold and Charles Frederick are also highly capable receiving threats.
Michigan's offense vs. Washington's defense
The Wolverines' offense is largely a mystery, what with a new coordinator, Terry Malone, and the departure of last year's go-to guy, WR Marquise Walker. Rumblings out of Ann Arbor have Malone opening up the playbook, yet one must think the Wolverines are anxious to test RBs Chris Perry and B.J. Askew against a Husky defense that ranked last in the Pac-10 against the run and is extremely young up front. Michigan QB John Navarre had to fight to retain his job after struggling mightily down the stretch last season, but coach Lloyd Carr says he improved throughout the offseason. It's too early to say who among the receiving corps will emerge as Navarre's favorite target. Senior Ronald Bellamy has the most experience, but Carr says sophomore Braylon Edwards "has a chance to be one of the great receivers that we have had here at Michigan. He is in David Terrell's class."
Washington has the clear advantage on special teams, with three game-breaking return men in Williams, Frederick and Roc Alexander, and a placekicker, John Anderson, who's hit several clutch field goals throughout his career. Michigan, by contrast, only recently settled on a new kicker and punter. The Huskies are also a team that won't fold if they fall behind, having engineered 13 fourth-quarter comebacks in Rick Neuheisel's three years. One thing working against them, though, is a recent track record of struggling on the road. Michigan's Big House is hardly ideal for such teams.
Washington WR Reggie Williams
So. 6-4, 220
2001 stats: 55 catches, 973 yards, 17.7 per catch
Had success against several premier cover men last season, including Texas' Quentin Jammer and Miami's Phillip Buchanon.
Michigan CB Marlin Jackson
So. 6-1, 189
2001 stats: 47 tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 pass break-ups
One of only four true freshman to see the field for Michigan, Jackson earned several All-Freshman honors for his abilities.
The first game of the year is the hardest to pick, as both teams are essentially mysteries. The practical line of thinking says that Washington is traveling 2,300 miles with a young and suspect defense to play a game that starts at 9 a.m. on their bodies' clock at a 110,000-seat stadium. No chance, right? But the sense is the Huskies are a sleeping giant. With the emergence of Frederick, who as a homesick freshman twice quit the team last year, to go along with Pickett and Williams, their offense could be one of the nation's most dangerous. Michigan's, on the other hand, has more questions than answers at this point and may not be able to fully take advantage of Washington's weaknesses.
The pick: Washington 27, Michigan 24.
No. 14 LSU at No. 16 Virginia Tech, Sunday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
This will be a significant step up in competition for the Hokies following their 63-7 thumping of Arkansas State. For one, the Tigers' pass rush will likely put QB Grant Noel's recovering knee to the test, and LB Bradie James is one of the few athletes capable of keeping pace with Tech RB tandem Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. Still, the Hokies' extraordinarily fast defense will give new LSU QB Matt Mauck all he can handle.
Virginia Tech 27, LSU 21.
No. 21 Maryland vs. Notre Dame, Saturday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
The Terps may be the most underappreciated defending conference champs in history, further compounded by the loss of star RB Bruce Perry to injury, and they'll definitely be the sideshow in this one to Tyrone Willingham's debut at Notre Dame. But while Willingham may eventually do wonders in South Bend, he is still working with a mostly empty cupboard at this point, especially on offense.
Maryland 19, Notre Dame 12.
Auburn at No. 20 USC, Monday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
SEC fans like to boast of their league's superiority over other conferences, especially the so-called soft Pac-10, but following Alabama's consecutive losses to UCLA, the Tigers face great pressure to carry the league's banner for once. Auburn will try to set sophomore RB Carnell Williams loose, while Trojans QB Carson Palmer looks to get what seems like his third senior year off to a good start.
Auburn 26, USC 16.
No. 7 Colorado vs. Colorado State, Saturday, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
For all that Gary Barnett has accomplished in three seasons in Boulder, winning a season opener is not one of them. Two of those defeats have come to the Rams, who looked to be in mid-season form, albeit against lesser competition, last week against Virginia. The Buffs will ride their stable of skilled running backs, led by Chris Brown, but CSU's Cecil Sapp is no slouch, himself.
Colorado State 31, Colorado 27.
