From: pdunn@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Patrick L Dunn)
Subject: I-AA Preview for Oct. 17, 1992 (3 of 4)--Games of Interest
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 07:36:19 GMT

Games of Interest:

Last Weeks Big Games:

Samford 46  E. Kentucky 14
NE Louisiana 52  McNeese St. 35
Florida A&M 21  North Carolina A&T 7

This Week's Big Games:

This is probably the most important weekend in I-AA this season.  The following
four games may well decide four conference champions and, therefore, four
automatic playoff berths:

#5 MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD (4-1) at #4 THE CITADEL BULLDOGS (6-0)
Site: Charleston, SC
Stadium: Johnson-Hagood Memorial (22,500)
Coaches: Marshall: Jim Donnan (21-10).
         The Citadel: Charlie Taaffe (30-21-1).
TV: SportSouth 2 PM

Huge, huge Southern Conference game.  The most important game to date in Div.
I-AA; could be the biggest game of the year in the Division.  Marshall is 2-0
in the Southern Conference, defeating Furman last week 48-6.  The Citadel is
off to its best start in school history at 6-0, (3-0 in SC) defeating
Tennessee-Chattanooga last week 33-13.  Marshall
is ranked second in I-AA in scoring offense, led by Senior quarterback Micheal
Payton and a stable of fine skill position players.  Marshall's modus operendi
is the wide open game, but a pleasant suprise has been the rushing attack,
averaging 7+ yards per carry this season.  The Citadel runs the the wishbone
with a frightening military precision, triggered by quarterback Jack Douglas.
The Citadel grinds opponents into the ground with ball control and sturdy
defense.  This game is a great contrast of styles, and something is going to
have to give (pardon the cliche).

PREDICTION:  I attended the Marshall-Furman game last week.  Marshall was
impressive against Furman's vaunted option attack, holding it to a touchdown
off of a muffed punt.  However, Marshall did lose one of its defensive ends for
the season in that game, with the reserve recovering from a concussion suffered
a week earlier--an important consideration in thinking about stopping the
wishbone.  The Citadel only passed twice in its game against UTC, but it
rushed for nearly 450 yards.  Intangables favor The Citadel--a big partisan
crowd will be in attendence, and Marshall must keep its composure.  This is a
hard game to predict.  Line play will be critical.  My belief is that Marshall
has had better preparation for Citadel than vice-versa through its schedule.
It could go either way, but I like Marshall to win, 31-24--maybe in overtime.
Could these teams meet again in the playoffs?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


#11 EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS (4-1) at #7 MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST. BLUE RAIDERS
                                                                    (4-1)
SITE: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
STADIUM: Floyd Stadium (15,000)
COACHES: EKU: Roy Kidd (230-81-8).
         MTSU: James "Boots" Donnelly (95-55).
TV: SportSouth, 5 PM
Winner will, barring the second coming, become Ohio Valley Conference champion
(as has been the case since 1981).  EKU is coming off the worst loss in Roy
Kidd's long tenure, 46-14 at the hands of Samford.  Middle Tennessee defeated
Austin Peay last week 49-10.  Huge, huge rivalry, as you might expect.  EKU a
grind it out team; MTSU fairly balanced but has a decent passing attack.

PREDICTION: This one is easy.  EKU is overrated--last week showed that.  Middle
Tennessee will outquick them and win easily at home, 38-7.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

#9 DELAWARE FIGHTIN' BLUE HENS (4-1) AT #2 VILLANOVA WILDCATS (5-0).

SITE: Philadelphia, PA
STADIUM: Villanova (12,000)
COACHES: UD: Harold "Tubby" Raymond (212-85-2)
         VU: Andy Talley (48-21-1)

This game will be a Yankee Doodle Dandy (hee hee).  Winner on the fast track to
the Yankee Conference title, but still will have some tough challenges.
Delaware uses the Wing-T offense, and the defense is sturdy.  Speaking of
Defense, Villanova does this pretty darn well too, and is deep, deep, deep at
all positions.

PREDICTION: One thing is easy to predict: this game will be a low-scoring chess
match.  The Hens have lost to Div. II West Chester, a team which Villanova also
played, but beat by a close score.  I don't think home field advantage will be
a tremendous factor in this game; I am told that VU does not draw well at home;
I also picutre a multitude of Delaware fans making the trek for an important
game.  This one could also go either way, but Delaware seems to be playing
the best football of late, and I am giving them the nod because of that--14-10.
(Villanova will have the best football name in the contest, though, in the
person of defensive lineman Chris Grychowski).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

#3 IDAHO VANDALS (5-0) AT #16 EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES (4-1)

SITE: Cheney, Washington
STADIUM: Woodward Stadium (6,000)
COACHES: UI: John L. Smith (21-12-0)
         EWU: Dick Zornes (79-59-2)

These two teams are suprises in I-AA this year--Idaho because it is doing so
well, and Eastern Washington because it is simply doing well.  Winner gains a
big step toward Big Sky title.

PREDICTION: In Columbus, Ohio, I suffer greatly from ECIAAMB when it comes
to getting information about Big Sky teams.  I know well that this is going to
be basketball on grass.  Beyond that, I only know that Idaho has beaten
Colorado St. among others this year, while EWU has played two Div. II teams and
lost to one.  Could EWU be overrated?  I think so.  Idaho will win going away,
52-17.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UPSET OF THE WEEK: Would you believe I am picking 0-5 Boston University to
          beat 4-1 Richmond this week?

UGLY GAME OF THE WEEK: East Tennessee St. defeated Div. III Charleston Southern
          last week 62-0.  It could lose by as much to Louisiana Tech this
          week.

          AND--Prarie View A&M against anyone.

MY RECORD SO FAR: 5-3 in big games (including 2-1 last week)
                  3-3 in picking upsets (0-1 last week).

PDunn
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college