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Preseason (Aug. 24)
Week 1 (Aug. 31)
Week 2 (Sept. 7)
Week 3 (Sept. 14)
Week 4 (Sept. 21)
Week 5 (Sept. 28)

Week 6 (Oct. 5)
Week 7 (Oct. 12)
Week 8 (Oct. 19)
Week 9 (Oct. 26)

Week 10 (Nov. 2)
Week 11 (Nov. 9)
Week 12 (Nov. 16)
Week 13 (Nov. 23)
Week 14 (Nov. 30)

September 17, 2002

UNSTOPPABLE FORCE vs. IMMOVABLE OBJECT
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
This week’s marquise match up between Texas A&M and Virginia Tech is shaping up to be just that, as the Aggies are currently ranked #1 in the nation in rushing defense while giving up only 33.5 yards per carry. The Hokies are currently ranked #3 in the nation in rushing offense while racking up 283 yards per game on the ground. If this humdinger in College Station doesn’t get your curiosity aroused…nothing will.


MARYLAND FOOTBALL DOESN’T GET IT
Our annual NationalChamps.net Tailgate Extravaganza III took place in College Park, MD for the Florida State game Saturday night on prime time ESPN. Although this campus is not exactly well known for its tailgating atmosphere, the fact that most major institutions like Maryland have adopted policies that attempt to take the fun out of the pre-game experience is absurd. The parking lots would not open until 2:00 pm on game day, and dedicated season ticket holders who showed up at noon to root on their Terps were simply told by Joe Security Guard to “just drive around for an hour or two” until the lots do open. Hmmmmm, drive around and see what, the gridlock of traffic that prevents you from driving around? If your reasoning is that too many people will become overly intoxicated with such a long day of tailgating, well it seems to us that the time lost to most booze hounds was made up by guzzling faster. Don’t let a few bad apples ruin the enjoyment for everyone. We called the UMD Parking services a few days prior to the actual game and asked what a person with an RV could do to find accommodations for Saturday. The response, “What is an RV?” Get on the Division I-A ball people.


KANSAS STATE ENTRY EXAMS
This team from Manhattan is moving up in the charts. After huge home wins over Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Monroe, and Eastern Illinois - a common Bill Snyder technique, Kansas State has moved all the way up to #23 in the Coaches Poll. College football broadcasting newcomers TBS will be in Manhattan this Saturday for a big time showdown with USC. For those purple and white fans that may be confused, USC does not stand for the University of Sweet Cupcakes.


KEEPING IT LEGAL IN HOLLAND
The “Keep An Eye On This Player” Award for this week goes to backup freshman QB Justin Holland from Colorado State. After starter Bradlee Van Pelt threw his second consecutive interception against Louisville this past Saturday, a pick that went for a touchdown, Holland replaced Van Pelt on the next series and moved the Rams quickly for six points. While playing high school football for Bear Creek in Lakewood, CO, Justin broke the state records for passing yards (10,567) and touchdowns (108). He was the Colorado H.S. Gatorade Player of the Year in 2000. He is one of only five players in national prep history to throw for more than 10,000 career yards and was a member of the national honor society with a 3.8 GPA. He can throw a 50-yard rope. Watch out for this youngster, the only First Team Parade All-American CSU has ever signed.


CALLING ON BOWLING GREEN
On one of our NationalChamps.net radio breakdowns this past week we mentioned how the 2-0 Missouri Tigers, after big wins against Illinois and Ball State, were going to be in for a major tussle with the Bowling Green Falcons. Bowling Green spoiled Gary Pinkel's debut as Missouri's head coach a year ago by defeating the Tigers 20-13 in Columbia. The Falcons showed that win was no fluke as they made it two in a row over Missouri with a 51-28 victory. On defense, Missouri gave up 375 yards passing and 202 yards rushing to a Bowling Green team that scored 41 points in the game's first 37 minutes. Keep an eye on this Falcon team who looks to be the favorite at this point to win the MAC West.


ANN ARBOR ANALOGY
How can you have a team that leads the Big Ten Conference in sacks (15) for 2002, but still only ranks 9th in the conference in pass defense? Michigan fans may still be wondering. Maybe the question should be posed to Notre Dame QB Carlyle Holiday, who seemed to time and time again find receivers wide open in their 25-23 victory over the Wolverines in South Bend this past Saturday.


COMEBACK KIDS
After trailing 24-7 at halftime, Iowa State scored 29 straight points in the second half of its showdown against Iowa, as Seneca Wallace threw for 361 yards to turn a 17-point deficit into a 36-31 victory. Some folks may remember the 17-point deficit Iowa State reached against Florida State in the Eddie Robinson Classic, only to fall short in the end 31-38. This victory marked the fifth straight time the Cyclones have beaten the Hawkeyes. Somebody put Wallace on the Heisman Candidate Board please.


CONTRASTS OF THE WEEK
Marshall and Louisville BCS hopes
Terrapin Dedicated Second Half Fans
Maurice Claret’s Inexperience
Colorado’s Top Ten Ranking
Nebraska’s Domination Days


 

 

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Editor: Dave Hershorin