Every week Charles Jay will select four games, offering analysis and picking a final score. Lines used are overnight lines, and are subject to change. ALL INFORMATION IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. By CHARLES JAY, Editor/Publisher, TotalAction.com COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- October 21, 2000 PURDUE (-6) at WISCONSIN -- In the last two years, Drew Brees has shredded the Wisconsin defense for 844 yards, hitting 91 out of 148 passes. But the Boilermakers lost both of those games, as Barry Alvarez employed a "bend-but-not-break" game plan to turn back Purdue. It also didn't hurt in last year's game that Wisconsin returned a kickoff and an interception for TD's, had Ron Dayne running the ball, and benefited from two missed field goals by Purdue. The previous year the Badgers were out-gained 570-229 but still managed to come up with the win. This tells us that if everything doesn't go right for Wisconsin, things could easily steamroll in the other direction. And they just might here. Brees has a hot running back to work with in Montrell Lowe. And Wisconsin does not offer the kind of resistance they have in recent years, especially in the running game, surrendering 266 yards to Northwestern, 249 to Ohio State, and 183 to Michigan State. And they have been out-gained 432-210 on the ground over the last two games. Despite his early-season exploits, Michael Bennett is no Ron Dayne. And Badgers have a couple of defensive backs recovering from concussions. Alvarez' team just won't be able to trade points. FINAL SCORE: PURDUE 34, WISCONSIN 21 RUTGERS (+7.5) at NAVY -- Navy steamrolled Rutgers last season, out-rushing them by the hideous margin of 371-7. Of course, there's a different offensive story for the Middies this year. Navy's running game has been inconsistent, posting so-so totals of 73, 165, 112, 112, 108, and 58 yards, but by and large those outputs have come against much better squads than they'll be facing today. And while both have had their fair share of problems stopping the run, Rutgers is practically nonexistent on the ground, averaging just 65 yards a game, tallying more than 108 only against lowly Buffalo. And the Knights have played "giveaway" lately, with 17 turnovers in their last four ballgames. After getting past the two soft touches on the schedule (Villanova, Buffalo), Rutgers has been outscored 190-37 and doubled in yardage. Mike McMahon healthier at QB for Rutgers, but his best target, Walter King, is out with high ankle sprain. And many close to the program are questioning the players' effort for lame-duck coach Terry Shea. Navy, on the other hand, trying to look on the tragedy of the U.S.S. Cole for some emotional inspiration. Rutgers plays out the string, while Middies seize a rare opportunity for victory. FINAL SCORE: NAVY 27, RUTGERS 13 MIAMI-FL. (-21) at TEMPLE -- One respected analyst of the BCS came out this week and predicted a meeting between Nebraska and Miami for the national championship. That tells part of the story of this game. No doubt Miami has to see itself back in the national title hunt after the upset victory over Florida State two weeks ago. And now that they're rested and ready after a week's respite, we'll expect no particular degree of mercy from a Hurricane club that has to be thinking POLL right now. Temple is an improved team, especially with maturing QB Devin Scott and the presence of a running game. But their athletes are still a couple of notches below that of Butch Davis' crew, which uses the depth edge to advantage on special teams. Owls could make things interesting with some Hurricane giveaways, but Miami QB Ken Dorsey seems never in the "giving" mood (only two interceptions in his college career). Temple has revenge motive (lost 55-0 last year) and homecoming, but Miami spoils it with a higher calling. FINAL SCORE: MIAMI-FL. 45, TEMPLE 17 VIRGINIA TECH (-12.5) at SYRACUSE -- Syracuse certainly not on the same level as Virginia Tech. And Michael Vick in a different class than Syracuse signal-caller Troy Nunes. But nonetheless, wouldn't mind taking double-digits with the Orangemen, who seem to be a different, more confident squad on its own home turf (all covers, wins over BYU, Pitt, 8-2 ATS last 10), and which got caught in "look-ahead" vs. Boston College last week. This is also a major blood match for Syracuse, which badly wants to avenge last season's 62-0 drubbing by poll-conscious VT club. The noisy Carrier Dome has provided not much relief for Hokies in the past (last win: 1986). And unquestionably, home cooking has been good for up-and-down QB Nunes (35-48, 532 yards, just one pick in dome). FINAL SCORE: VIRGINIA TECH 29, SYRACUSE 25

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