Getting Ready for the Football Weekend

Both the Badgers and Packers have pretty big games coming up this weekend, and unfortunately, I don't see either one coming away with a win.

Let's start with Saturday, when the Badgers make the trip to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans.

This is just not a good matchup for the Badgers. Sure, their defense kept Illinois in check last week, but that was because Illinois QB Juice Williams helped Wisconsin out with three interceptions. The Badgers won't be as lucky this weekend. Michigan State plays it a lot closer to the vest, and running back Javon Ringer is going to do a lot of damage. Put it this way, if Iowa's Shonn Green can run for over 200 yards against Wisconsin, what do you think a Heisman Trophy candidate like Ringer's going to do?

The Badgers also are without the services of tight end Travis Beckum, whose career as a Badger ended last week. Sure, Dustin Sherer still has Garrett Graham to go to, but opposing defenses know that, and will commit more defenders to shutting him down.

The Badgers running game? Well, it looks like P.J. Hill is no longer the number one back. John Clay, the phenom from Racine, is. That's a situation that bears watching, especially from Hill's standpoint

Cliff's Prediction: Michigan State 30, Badgers 17

Now to the Packers, who have the task of going to Tennessee to face the undefeated Titans.

If Packer fans are looking for some good news, it's simply this. The Titans are coming in to this matchup after a short week (Monday night's win over Indianapolis). They also now have the national spotlight firmly upon them. How will they react?

My guess is they will be just fine. This is a young team, but it has some wily old veterans. Jeff Fisher started coaching the Houston Oilers when Bill Clinton was in his first term as President. Kerry Collins has been around for nearly as long. This team is not going to get a big head after reading the accolades heaped upon them.

I've come to a conclusion about the Titans. They are that good. They aren't going to have much of a problem beating the Packers on Sunday. Firstly, the game is at home.

Secondly, when you talk about the Titans you start with a defense led by DT Albert Haynesworth. Does anyone think Ryan Grant is going to break loose for a big game? He hasn't done it all season, and even though the yardage numbers looked good against Seattle and Indy, but the yards per carry number hasn't looked good at all.

Speaking of running the ball, it's something the Packers have had trouble stopping all season long, and this Sunday, they face the best running game in the NFL. Chris Johnson, the first round pick out of East Carolina, has taken the league by storm. LenDale White, as big as he is, is just as effective. All he does is score touchdowns. It could be a long day at the office for Green Bay's defense.

Cliff's Prediction: Titans 31, Packers 10