jmd@mhuxl.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes) (11/15/85)
Enough of this Big10 is better than the Pac10 is better than the SEC is better ... and enough about "the game" featuring Ohio St vs Michigan, Oklahoma vs Texas, its time to talk about "THE GAME" this week in college football Penn State vs Notre Dame. #1 Penn State (9-0-0) will see how good it really is tomorrow when it meets a very much improved Fighting Irish squad. The Lions have not looked very impressive in any of their wins this year but a win is a win is a win. The Nittany Lions have a tenacious defense which has kept them in every game this year but their offense is the question mark. D.J. Dozier, hampered by injuries most of the year, is coming off 2 straight 100+ yards rushing and Steve Smith, a big, quick fullback gives the Lions a good 1,2 punch out of the backfield. The problem however is the quarterback, Schaefer. He consistently underthrows wide open receivers and doesn't have that great of running ability when chased from the pocket. He has however come up with the big play when needed all year long. To beat the Irish he will have to have a very consistent game. Notre Dame is not the same team that was getting kicked around in the beginning of the season and nothing gets the Irish up more than playing USC except playing the #1 team in the country. Should the Irish win it also might save Gerry Faust's job at least for another year. If not then Gerry Faust would have done less with more than anyone since Jayne Mansfield. My prediction, as if it matters, Penn State 23, Notre Dame 13, on the way to another National Championship. Joseph M. Dakes AT&T Bell Laboratories Reading, PA mhuxl!jmd P.S. I have to admit I'm a little biased cause I'm a PSU graduate.