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BEERMAN'S PICKS OF THE WEEK
- by Beerman, posted 8/25/99

Each week this season, I will be posting a column previewing the upcoming weekend's Big East and Top-25 matchups. All rankings are from the ESPN/Coaches Poll. Picks are against the spread, and are for entertainment purposes only

This week: Another round of the "Preseason Classics"

Not in action: Most everybody, the season starts up for real next week.


SATURDAY 8/28

Top-25 Games:

Pigskin Classic

#3 Arizona (+4.5) @ #4 PENN STATE, 1:00 pm EST on ABC

Now THIS is what I call a preseason classic! Two teams with great teams (on paper) and real MNC aspirations. The masterful preparation of Paterno vs. the two-headed quarterback of the Wildcats. Talk about a must watch. About the only thing I can think of that would be better would be if one of the teams was Virginia Tech. The thing is, of course, I've not actually seen either team play yet. All my analysis is based on what other people have seen and written about. PSU is supposed to be a mack-daddy of a team this year, with a mediocre offense supported by a dominating defense (déjà vu?). Arizona was one heartbreak short of perfection last year, and returns most everyone of any consequence. Something in my gut is telling me that 'Zona takes this one, don't ask me why.

Pick: Arizona

Eddie Robinson Classic

#18 NOTRE DAME (-17) vs. Kansas, 3:30 pm EST on NBC

We're Notre Dame, so we want to play in a preseason game. Great money, and the exposure never hurts. But we don't want to play anyone that might give us too much of a challenge. Nope, life as an independent means wins are very important. Can't afford to let this extra game hurt our BcS chances. Nope, if we're going to come play in your game you're just going to have to go find someone we think we can beat easily.

Ole' Eddie must just be bustin with pride at this matchup…

Pick: Notre Lame

#1 FLORIDA STATE (-35) vs. Louisiana Tech, 5:00 pm EST on ESPN2

Chew on this one. All Florida State did last year was come up just seven points short in their bid for a National Title. Good thing they lost lots of players to graduation and early entry to the NFL. Wrong! F$U returns 18 starters from their '98 campaign. Put this team up against the St. Louis Rams and I'd be hard pressed to pick against them. If they can avoid the quarterback problems they suffered last year, only Seminole mistakes should stand in the way of 12-0.

Ah yes…Louisiana Tech. Not to be confused with Auburn, the fighting Bulldogs of LaTech are not afraid to take on anyone, anywhere, anywhen. Troy Edwards has gone on to the greener pastures of pro football, but QB Tim Rattay is back for his senior season, and the offensive fireworks should continue. The bookies did this last year too. They set a huge line against LaTech, and promptly got burned. Actually, Nebraska's secondary got burned. All that happened to the bookies is that they looked a bit silly.

35 points is simply too much. Florida State doesn't even have to RUTS and they could still win by less than 35. LaTech's offense won't go down quietly, and while F$U will win easily, I doubt they win by more than 5 touchdowns.

Pick: Louisiana Tech

Black Coaches Association Classic

#16 TEXAS (-8.5) vs. NC State, 7:30 pm EST on ESPN2

Texas RB Ricky Williams is arguably the best back ever in college football. NCSU wideout Torry Holt is one of the best receviers in the game today. Talk about your dynamite matchups ! What? They've both gone on to the NFL? Oh…then why would I want to watch?

Seriously tho, NCSU is a sleeper pick as a top-25 team. Sure Torry Holt is gone, but they bring back one of the top backfields in the nation. Their defense is a question mark, but if they can get it together then 2nd place in the ACC is not out of the question. Junior Hodges Mitchell has the unenviable task of filling Ricky Williams' shoes, but Major Applewhite leads a Longhorn team that looks to be in the thick of the B-12 title race.

Pick: Texas


SUNDAY 8/29

Kickoff Classic at East Rutherford, NJ

#9 Ohio State (-6) vs. #12 Miami (FL) , 2:30 pm EST on ABC

Is Miami back? We'll find out here. One thing is for sure, however, and that's that OSU never left. The buckeyes come fully loaded and ready to play…on both sides of the ball. No one is really doubting Miami's offensive talent, even with a new signal caller in Kenny Kelly. The defense is a question mark, however, no matter what Canes fans try to tell you. They're returning lots of starters, but the defense was simply not all that good last year. A new defensive coordinator means a newer system, and this will be its first test.

Pick: Buckeyes


Game of the Week to Watch: It's been a long off-season…watch them all! Well, maybe not Notre Dame …

Upset Special: Miami over Ohio State

Last season: 151-128-7



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