Game 5- #25/NR Michigan State (3-1) @ Ohio State (3-1)

Where: Ohio Stadium
When: 3:30 EST
TV: ABC/ESPN

The last time OSU played Michigan State, it was 2008 and the Buckeyes cruised to a 42-7 victory over the Spartans in East Lansing. Beanie Wells, as famously depicted above, led the charge with a dominant performance which included a hop into the endzone that showed his injured foot wasn't going to keep him from having another 1,000 yard season.

Times have changed, as MSU has since gone from a mediocre, at best, program to one that is fresh off an 11 win season and a co-Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are without their field general, Jim Tressel, and things can go in either direction for them at this point. It is conceivable that Ohio State could very well lose their next four contests, as they face top 25 teams Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin all in succession. October will truly define what type of year these young Buckeyes have, and it all starts on Saturday.

People have been critical of an OSU defense that is ranked 16th nationally, as they are giving up nearly 100 yards per game on the ground and have surrendered over 300 yards of total offense three games in a row. In Columbus, those type of stats are unheard of, as the silver bullets are typically one of the top rushing, and total defenses in the country. Michigan State, on the other hand, comes into the Shoe boasting the top ranked defense college football, which is due in large part to their top ranked pass defense which yields only 101 yards per game. Do the math: this match up doesn't exactly favor OSU on paper.

There are in fact distinct advantages that the home team will have on the ground though, and that is why I am picking them to win. RBs Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde should have a strong showing behind one of the best offensive lines in college football, along with the running ability of QB Braxton Miller. I feel as if both teams know that whoever controls the line of scrimmage will win this game, and the edge on the offensive side goes to Ohio State.

Michigan State will have their moments, as the Big Ten's best pass-catch duo of Kirk Cousins and Columbus product B.J. Cunningham won't go down without a fight. Unfortunately for Sparty, their running game will continue to not be as strong as it was thought to be heading into the season, and that will lead to a big turnover (or two). It may not lead to touchdowns every time for Miller and co., but it will be enough to hold off a solid MSU squad in Columbus.

Make no mistake that this will be a battle from beginning to end, but sometimes you just have to go with the home team who has their backs up against the wall. Lose this game if you are OSU, and you are staring at a potential four game losing streak against the best teams in the Big Ten. Win this game, and you set yourself for a big change in momentum as far as the season goes and the confidence gained can spring this young team to bigger and better things.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, the Bucks will get a little bit more experienced next week when they travel to Nebraska, as Boom Herron, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and DeVier Posey all return to try and make a run at the Big Ten title.

Prediction:

Mich State- 14
Ohio State- 23

Week 5 Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown

#2/3 Alabama @ #12 Florida
- It's a night game in Gainesville, so you know it is going to be tough for the Tide to win and, to put it simply, it will be very loud. Florida has been a nice surprise through their first four games of the season, although they haven't played anyone of note. Despite that, they have won in the fashion that their fans expect and have high hopes in Coach Muschamp's first season. Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis will have a strong gameplan ready to face the vaunted Crimson Tide defense, but that won't be enough as the Bama run game will seize control of the game early and often en route to a big win over the Gators.

Alabama- 34
Florida- 17

#8 Nebraska @ #7 Wisconsin
- This is one game that I circled on my calendar the moment Nebraska's schedule was released for their inaugural Big Ten season. They will have a tough time with a lot of the new conference venues, but having your first Big Ten game be at night on the road in Madison? Are you serious? That is one tough pill to swallow, considering the Badgers look as though they might end up playing for a national championship at years end if they keep playing the way they have been. I think that Taylor Martinez and the Nebraska offense will surprise some people, especially on the ground, providing evidence that Wisconsin doesn't feature and iron clad defense. Unfortunately, the Husker defense hasn't been up to par this season either, and will be exposed in front of a sellout Camp Randall crowd. QB Russell Wilson and the Badgers win this one running away in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska- 20
Wisconsin- 31

#18 Arkansas vs #13/14 Texas A&M (@ Arlington, TX)
- Both of these teams are coming off losses to top ten teams, so it's not as if they are struggling to find their place amongst the top 25 or anything. This game does represent an opportunity for both to climb higher in the polls and prove their worth, yet on the same token will send one plummeting to their second straight loss and out of the national stream of consciousness. I'll go on record as saying that the loser of this game will amount to nothing more than a solid 8 or 9 win team, leaving little to the imagination. The winner could still go on to big things...and everything is bigger in Texas. I'll go with the Aggies to pull out a close win over Arkansas, despite Razorback fans dying to show A&M a taste of what's to come in the SEC.

Arkansas: 21
Texas A&M: 23

Big Ten Rundown:

#8 Nebraska @ #7 Wisconsin- See Above
#19 Michigan over Minnesota: Too much Denard Robinson for the Gophers to handle.
#22/24 Illinois over Northwestern: Persa will provide spark, but 'Cats fall short.
#25/NR Michigan State @ Ohio State- TBA
Penn State over Indiana: Easiest bet of the week in the Big Ten
Notre Dame over Purdue: Don't know enough about Purdue to say they'll beat ND.

My Top Ten- Week 5

1. Oklahoma (3-0, vs Ball State)
2. LSU (4-0, vs Kentucky)
3. Alabama (4-0, @ Florida)
4. Boise State (3-0, vs Nevada)
5. Oklahoma State (4-0, Bye Week)
6. Wisconsin (4-0, vs Nebraska)
7. Stanford (3-0, vs UCLA)
8. Nebraska (4-0, @ Wisconsin)
9. South Carolina (4-0, vs Auburn)
10. Virginia Tech (4-0, vs Clemson)

Game 4- Ohio State (2-1) vs Colorado (1-2)

Where: Ohio Stadium
When: 3:30 EST
TV: ABC (ESPN2 reverse mirror)

It's "Miller Time" in Columbus, finally!

Despite a shaky performance against Miami - that is being generous, really - Miller will get his first chance to lead the offense as a true freshman against Colorado in the friendly confines of the Shoe.

I will make this very short and sweet because 1. this is going to be a very slow, boring game in my opinion, and 2. I am pressed for time this morning. Ohio State will win this game by virtue of a running game that will not be able to be slowed down in the second half, limiting the Buffalo's chances to score. It will be close early on in a very low scoring, three-and-out type of contest before RB Jordan Hall sparks the first touchdown drive of the game and OSU will never look back. I expect Miller to look okay today, meaning that he won't wow anybody and more than likely will turn the ball over at least once.

I am just as excited as everybody else for Miller to get his career as a starter going, but it may not be pretty today. I am still going with the Buckeyes to win before conference play begins.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 24
Colorado- 10

Week 4 Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown

#6/7 Oklahoma State @ #8 Texas A&M
- In the doldrums of summer, I often debated back and forth with myself over which of these two teams I liked better. Oklahoma State was flashier, but A&M seemed for stable all around. After seeing these teams play a few times, I can say with full confidence that I still have no idea who is better. I have been slightly partial to the Aggies, as I feel they have the defense better suited to take on Oklahoma, but OSU has shown it can play a little defense too when the mood strikes. I'll go with Texas A&M to win a shootout, only because I respect the Kyle Field 12th man too much, as I see it coming up huge in forcing a key turnover late in the game to secure an A&M victory. Cowboy's QB Weeden will put on a show, but RB Cyrus Gray of the home team will bring home MVP honors in this one.

OSU- 31
A&M- 35

#2/3 LSU @ #16 West Virginia
- Since June, I have had this game listed as one of the bigger upsets of the season with West Virginia knocking off the highly ranked Tigers. Do I have the guts to do it now? Well, I really do like West Virginia's offense, and they gave LSU a hell of a game last year in Baton Rouge. This time around it will be home cooking for the Mountaineers, with QB Geno Smith clicking on all cylinders. The defense hasn't been the best I've seen out of the Big East, but it is still a serviceable group that could key in on LSU's running game to try and force Jarrett Lee into throwing a costly interceptions. For all of the above reasons I'll just go with my gut and make the call: LSU wins by a field goal. There is something special about the Tigers this season.

LSU- 20
WVU- 17

#12/14 Arkansas @ #2/3 Alabama
- Last season, this was the one that got away for eventual Sugar Bowl participant Arkansas, as both of their losses last season came to the defending national champs - Alabama - by 6, and to eventual national champion Auburn. QB Ryan Mallett basically gave the game away to Bama last year as the Tide came back to seal the victory. Arkansas remains loaded on offense, even without stud RB Knile Davis, as QB Tyler Wilson has arguably the most talented receiving corps in America to throw to up and down the field. Their scoring ability is undeniable, while the defense seems to have improved over 2010's group thus far. The reason Alabama wins this game is their ability to force Arkansas into third and long situations where they won't be able to convert as much as they would like, leading to better field position for Trent Richardson and the Bama offense to go to work. It won't be nearly as good of a game as it was last year, I think.

Arkansas- 14
Alabama- 27


Big Ten Rundown:

#6/7 Wisconsin over South Dakota
#9 Nebraska over Wyoming
#21/22 Michigan over San Diego State
#24/NR Illinois over Western Michigan
Michigan State over Central Michigan
Penn State over Eastern Michigan
Iowa over UL-Monroe
Minnesota over North Dakota State
Indiana over North Texas

The BIG going 10-0?? It is very possible with the cupcake match ups in store this weekend.

How Bad is it, and How Bad Will it Get?

I will go ahead and say that Ohio State's passing performance last night at Miami had to have been the worst I have ever seen. Literally. I have seriously never seen anything like that before out of an Ohio State team. I lived through the 1999 season. I made it through the Steve Bellisari era. Craig Krenzel, Mr. Clutch, didn't exactly light up the scoreboard and turned the ball over quite a bit his senior year. Justin Zwick was the quarterback for half a year in 2004 (ironically, the last time until today that the Buckeyes were out of the top 25). Justin Zwick!!! THEY WERE ALL LIGHT YEARS BETTER THAN ANYTHING THAT WAS DONE LAST NIGHT!!!!!!

One word: unbelievable. Another word: don't give up hope.

Here is my solution to getting over last night's 24-6 loss in which the passing attack featured only 4 completions: run the ball, run the ball some more, and start the Braxton Miller era. Miller is just as guilty as Bauserman - perhaps even more so - in terms of not getting completions or putting points on the board last night. Miller had an interception and a crucial fumble in the 4th quarter, as a matter of fact, while Bauserman just threw the ball away all game long. The fact is that Bauserman literally has no upside at all, and Miller does. He can move the ball on the ground and hopefully one day through the air, meaning that it gives the offense more options in how they gameplan for their Big Ten opponents.

Jordan Hall proved he is legit, while Hyde and Berry will provide for some nice relief for #7 as the year goes on. The receivers are so young and inexperienced...obviously, since they couldn't catch anything thrown their way last night. However, they will improve. They have the talent, but they need more reps. Philly Brown will return from injury and boost the production in my opinion as the year goes on. Also, let's not forget that DeVier Posey has only two games left being suspended and will be a HUGE target for whoever is at quarterback.

RB Boom Herron and LT Mike Adams return as well, making this offense automatically more lethal. Let's not get too carried away here, folks. This is still a very talented team, albeit very very young. Mesh their constant improvement, along with the return of the suspended players, one of the best offensive lines in the country, and hopefully the steady emergence of Braxton Miller and you have yourself a solid football team.

My prediction: I don't have one. I don't even know who will be lining up under center against Colorado at this point. I will say that I believe this isn't going to be a "bad" season. Bad to me is not going to a bowl game, or even going 7-5. I won't say 8 games isn't out of the realm of possibility, considering the way the offense played last night. 9 games seems to be very reasonable if you follow my line of thinking. This season isn't over yet. It has just begun.

Keep the faith, please.

On to Colorado.

My Top Ten- Week 4

1. Oklahoma (2-0, vs Missouri)
2. LSU (3-0, @ West Virginia)
3. Alabama (3-0, vs Arkansas)
4. Boise State (2-0, vs Tulsa)
5. Stanford (3-0, Bye Week)
6. Texas A&M (2-0, vs Oklahoma State)
7. Oklahoma State (3-0, @ Texas A&M)
8. Wisconsin (3-0, vs South Dakota)
9. South Carolina (3-0, vs Vanderbilt)
10. Nebraska (3-0, @ Wyoming)

I keep flip flopping between Alabama or LSU being ranked #2 in the nation. The Tigers have a huge win over Oregon, while Bama beat Penn State on the road. I am giving LSU the advantage at this point in time because of their strength of schedule thus far (Oregon, @ Mississippi State), which will only get tougher when they travel to Morgantown this weekend.

The winner of Texas A&M and Oklahoma State will surely turn out to the be the top contender to knock Oklahoma off their pedestal on the top of the Big 12. That could be a very high scoring, exciting affair.

P.S.- Ohio State would not be ranked in my top 25. Michigan would be ranked ahead of them at this point at 3-0...unacceptable. I guarantee that they will finish higher than the Wolverines, though. I'd bet a lot on that.

Game 3- #16/17 Ohio State (2-0) @ Miami (0-1)

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)
When: 7:30 PM EST
TV: ESPN

As the above picture illustrates, Miami fans still aren't really over the fact that Ohio State "stole" their 2002 national championship away from them. As a result, they are a bitter, overly defensive fan base living in the past that will take any jab they possibly can to make themselves feel better about their dwindling national reputation. The shirt above mentions that OSU may have won the national title, but the NBA's Miami Heat took LeBron James from Cleveland. Sigh... first of all, it is the wrong sport. I don't think that levels the playing field in any way whatsoever, but guess what? This is exactly what Miami fans do. Any jab they can take, they'll throw it out there. That is not a guess.

Who can blame them for living in the past and being a little too defensive these days? Just like the Buckeyes, who travel to South Beach to take on the Hurricanes Saturday night, "Da U" has been plagued with NCAA issues involving benefits to student-athletes. Ohio State got some nice tattoos while Miami players had sex parties, chilled on yachts and took all they could from a rogue booster. Which one gets more media coverage, you ask? Ohio State. Duhhhh. What is wrong with ESPN - COUGH - excuse me, this world? Did I say ESPN? Clearly accidental.

Regardless of the off-the-field issues and distractions, football will in fact be played by these two programs this weekend in what is being dubbed as the - are you ready? You'll laugh at this one - ineligi-bowl. HA HA. Who says today's humor is lacking?

Not only are these two programs going to be in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, but several players are going to be missing action due to suspension (the reason for the game's nickname). For Ohio State, four players will be missing the game, while Miami will be without the services of three. Not only will four players be absent from the contest due to suspension, but there's more trouble for the Buckeyes! Starters Nathan Williams (DE) and Philly Brown (WR) will miss the game due to injury. The Williams injury hurts because we all saw how the pass rush did against Toledo without him in the lineup. Brown, however, hasn't officially been scratched from the lineup but he does in fact have a severe ankle sprain and isn't expected to be on the field come Saturday. For the first time I think I am ready to finally feel bad for OSU and say that they will be very, very short handed.

Can I pick against them in a time like this? Hell no! The Buckeyes have too much to prove in this game, and the addition of CB Travis Howard and RB Jordan Hall in the lineup will be just the boost they need in order to come out of Miami with a victory.

The Canes will be ready to go and by all means should be favored in this one, despite losing to Maryland in a game where they really shouldn't have even been close to begin with. I don't think Jacory Harris will play as bad as he did last season against OSU, but I do believe that he will be the centerpiece of costly mistakes that Miami will make that will lead to them throwing the game away.

I expect the Buckeyes to play well defensively for the most part, despite not having a dominate pass rusher on the defensive line, and will bend but not break the majority of the night. Offensively, the addition of Jordan Hall will give Bauserman another toy to play with while fellow RB Jamaal Berry will get reps in the backfield as well. Combine that with the two games Carlos Hyde has under his belt, and this should turn out to be a very strong running back corp for the visitors. Because of that, I will call for the ground game to significantly improve from the past few weeks en route to a win over Miami.

It will be close - VERY close - but as long as it doesn't come down to a Drew Basil field goal I think that OSU will be just fine and get a big road win to start out 3-0.

Miami shouldn't feel bad if they start the season 0-2, though. They'll always have their memories of sex, drugs and alcohol - all on the house, of course. Oh, and let's not forget about the abortion... interrupt me if I start to ramble.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 24
DA U- 20

Week 3 Games of the Week

#1 Oklahoma @ #5 Florida State
- I really have no idea how I feel about this game because I feel like this would really only be a true contest if it were played before 2001. I can't help but look at FSU's lofty preseason ranking and think that they are just a tad overrated. However, this clashes with my opinions on the talent, coaching staff and swagger that the Seminoles have right now down in Tallahassee. I can't pick Florida State to win, but it will be fun to see Doak Campbell Stadium rocking again in a top five showdown against Oklahoma. The Sooners have too much firepower to be shut down offensively, and haven't allowed a sack in what seems like years. QB LaRon Landry will lead the number one team in college football on the road for another big win over Florida State.

Oklahoma- 34
Florida State- 20

#3 LSU @ #25 Mississippi State
- The Tigers aren't flashy by any stretch of the imagination, but they are a damn good football team. Damn good teams like LSU better watch out for road games like this against a feisty conference foe the likes of Mississippi State. I don't see Starkville partying into the night after a huge win over LSU, and the reason for that is defense; the lack of one for MSU and the power of the Tiger defense. I expect a great game tomorrow night on ESPN, but don't count on an upset in this one.

LSU- 27
MSU- 21

Tennessee @ #16/17 Florida
- I can't wait to watch this game! The University of Tennessee is once against brimming with confidence in year two under Coach Dooley and they feel as if it is only a matter of time before they are once against a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. Florida, by an even larger degree, feels as if they could be the best team in the whole conference after the way they have dispatched their first two opponents, only giving up a total of three points in the process. Tennessee and QB Tyler Bray will definitely score and keep the game interesting, but nothing comes easy in this SEC East rivalry. UF is too confident and everything seems to be in place for them to come out of this one with a big win over the Vols. The Will Muschamp era is getting off to a very good start, I must say, and I do not see his team falling to 2-1 after Saturday.

UT- 28
UF- 35

My Top Ten- Week 3

1. Oklahoma (1-0) @ Florida State
2. Alabama (2-0) vs North Texas
3. LSU (2-0) @ Mississippi State
4. Boise State (1-0) @ Toledo
5. Florida State (2-0) vs Oklahoma
6. Texas A&M (1-0) vs Idaho
7. Stanford (2-0) @ Arizona
8. Wisconsin (2-0) vs Northern Illinois
9. Oklahoma State (2-0) vs Tulsa
10. Nebraska (2-0) vs Washington

There's literally no change in how I am going to rank these teams, although I do have to tip my cap to a few teams of note.

First of all, the Wisconsin Badgers earn some praise after a shutout of Oregon State. I have been wary of their defensive play after losing some playmakers from last year's group, yet they go out and shutout a Pac 12 team. Good for them.

Also, Oklahoma State looked extremely impressive against Arizona, and not just on the offensive side of the ball. Another solid defensive performance from a team I wasn't really expecting it from, which gives me hope that OSU can truly take on A&M and Oklahoma as the year rolls on.

Quick Thought

45-7? That's what I thought would happened yesterday?

Wow. I was wrong.

Apologies to the Toledo Rockets, for you played a hell of a game yesterday.

Good luck the rest of the season, and thanks for nearly sending me to an early grave during a 27-22 loss to the Buckeyes.

Game 2- #15 Ohio State (1-0) vs Toledo (1-0)

Where: Ohio Stadium
When: Noon EST
TV: Big Ten Network

After a 42-0 beat down of the lowly Akron Zips, the Bucks now turn their attention to a much more formidable MAC opponent, Toledo. In some circles (Colorado, Michigan, etc.) they are referred to as the "giant killers". I would like to explore that theory, if you'll indulge me.

They beat the worst team in Michigan football history. Colorado isn't exactly a "giant" these days. Sorry, Toledo, but you really don't scare me. I can see you coming into the Shoe and giving Ohio State a bit of a scare with your high-octane offensive attack, starring WR Eric Page, and maybe even start rumblings about how good the defending Big Ten champs really are. What I cannot see is Toledo even sniffing a victory on Saturday, much less even thinking that it is a legitimate possibility.

The oddsmakers in Vegas seem to think that Toledo will give OSU a run for their money, with the spread hovering between 17 and 20 all week long. I will go on record and say that I expect the same amount of points that were score last week against Akron to be scored against Toledo. With the addition of Jordan Hall back in the lineup and RB and WR, there is no doubt in my mind that the offense will be able to score points once again at a very high rate. Factor in what I consider to be a hell of a defense, and the Rockets are going to feel like leaving early in my view.

I'll give the Bucks 3 rushing touchdowns, compliments of Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall, to go along with another strong showing by the quarterbacks en route to a very strong, convincing win over Toledo. The return of Travis Howard will make life hard on the Rocket's passing attack; make no mistake about it.

Now, on to the 'ineligi-bowl'. Sigh...

Prediction:

OSU- 45
Toledo- 7

Week 2 Games of the Week

#2/3 Alabama (1-0) @ #20/23 Penn State (1-0)
- Last season, this game was hyped simply because of the strong tradition and reputation of these two powerhouse programs. On paper, it wasn't a very good game. PSU had a freshman QB starting on the road against the preseason #1 team in America. For all of the advantages Alabama had, they strangely only won 24-3 in Tuscaloosa. Yes, I know that it was still a beatdown and that Penn State really wasn't in the game from the very beginning. But why didn't Bama score more? I keep looking back at last season's game and seeing a very young, inexperienced Penn State team stand up to Bama defensively and keep the game from being a total massacre considering the circumstances. It is interesting how the story has slightly flipped, with an inexperienced Bama QB taking snaps on the road in a hostile environment against a strong defense. With McGloin at the helm, I like PSU to keep this much closer than last season and to ultimately have a shot at knocking off the second ranked Tide. The SEC will flex its muscles again though, and Alabama will head out of Happy Valley thankful to hang on for a tough victory over Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions.

Bama- 21
PSU- 20

Notre Dame (0-1) @ Michigan (1-0)
- I say this every year like clockwork and I mean every word of it: I love this rivalry. It represents a shadow of the full glory of Midwest football, as these two dormant programs used to be two of the premier football schools in the nation. They represented more than just wins and championships, but rather acted as a model of excellence for all to see across the country each and every Saturday. These days, they are really only playing for bragging rights as Michigan hasn't won or played for a national championship since 1997, while it has been even longer for Notre Dame (the year I was born sounds just about right...1988). On Saturday night, it will be the first ever night game in the history of the Big House, and I fully expect the crowd to be as loud as it has ever been. These two very passionate fan bases know that the winner of this game probably won't go on to be in the national championship hunt, but you have to start somewhere when you have a new regime at hand. For the Irish, they are in year two of the Brian Kelly era and are off to a bad start after losing to South Florida at home. The Wolverines just won their new coach Brady Hoke his first game as the head man, and are trying to put to rest the failure that was the Rich Rod era. Michigan will be an improved team this season, but the defense still needs to prove something to me and the rest of the country. Although they put on a show with a few defensive touchdowns against Western Michigan, I don't see them slowing down a Notre Dame offense that put up over 500 yards of total offense this past weekend. I like the Irish to trade punches with Michigan in the first half, only to take control of the game in the second and win in this rivalry for the first time since 2008. Fewer turnovers = the key to the game for Notre Dame, and I think they'll do a better job at that against a currently inept defense.

ND- 37
UM- 27

#12 South Carolina (1-0) @ Georgia (0-1)
- I just had a talk with a friend, and he said something that I 100% agree with: if Coach Richt loses this game, and ultimately falls behind in the SEC East race, he will no longer be the head coach at Georgia by season's end. Unfortunately for him, a coach that has given Athens plenty to be happy about over the past decade or so, he isn't really getting a fair shake in this situation. After getting whooped by Boise State, I really don't see the Bulldogs stepping up and winning this game with their backs against the wall. It will be a fight as it always is with this rivalry, but it won't be enough as South Carolina is just too balanced offensively and had a very solid defense. I'm going with the Gamecocks to seize control of the division and never look back until they reach Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.

SC- 28
UGA- 21

My Top 10- Week 2

1. Oklahoma (1-0) Bye Week
2. Alabama (1-0) @ Penn State
3. LSU (1-0) vs Northwestern State
4. Boise State (1-0) Bye Week
5. Florida State (1-0) vs Charleston Southern
6. Texas A&M (1-0) Bye Week
7. Stanford (1-0) @ Duke
8. Wisconsin (1-0) vs Oregon State
9. Oklahoma State (1-0) vs Arizona
10. Nebraska (1-0) vs Fresno State

Where do I place Ohio State? #15 in the nation.

I didn't want to throw out my up-to-date top 10 before the first week like I always do, simply because everyone was so close that I wanted to give myself a chance to see how some teams looked in the first week. Although the majority of the higher ranked teams played cupcakes, I don't think it is out of the question to make a few judgements here and there about the college football landscape.

I'm glad I waited to watch some teams play, because some of them looked pretty bad. Not a shocker, but Notre Dame looks so average they might as well just give up all hope of a BCS appearance. TCU looked as if they left their entire defense back in Pasadena, Oregon looked far from top 10 worthy - hopefully playing their way out of the national championship race - and Auburn was more humorous than intimidating in their first game since winning the national championship. There is a lot of work to do with some of these teams that laid an egg this past weekend.

Week 1 Games of the Week

#3 LSU vs #4 Oregon (in Arlington, TX)
- Let's cut to the chase: this is a huge game with massive national title implications...with a lot of suspensions. Oregon has to deal with the loss of one of its best defensive players Cliff Harris, who also happens to be one of the nation's most electrifying special teams players. LSU on the other hand will be without senior QB Jordan Jefferson, WR Russell Shepard and LB Josh Johns. With this in mind, you would think that Oregon would be able to go ahead and take care of business. I am going to go against the grain here and pick LSU to pull off the win, giving the SEC two wins in two straight games against the Pac 12 favorites. I just think Jarrett Lee has played enough to merit the offense moving at the same rate that Jefferson would have moved it, and the defense will still be nasty enough to stop Oregon's vaunted rushing attack consistently.

LSU- 27
Oregon- 25

#5/7 Boise State @ #19/22 Georgia
- Why does everyone want to see Boise State lose all the time? Is it because they are always in the national championship talk, and never lose these big time games? Well, yeah, that is exactly why. I will admit that I was once one of those people... until Nevada beat them in OT last year, then my disdain for the smurfs disappeared. I am a full believer in what these Broncos can accomplish in big time college football, especially with a Heisman candidate leading the offense. Yep, Kellen Moore is back for one last hurrah to try and lead his team to the promised land. Heading into SEC country will be rough, and believe me the Dawgs are hungry for a big win these days. It will be extremely close heading into the fourth quarter, but Boise State will make plays when UGA can't and will head out of Athens with a victory. Tale as old as time.

Boise- 34
UGA- 31

South Florida @ #16/18 Notre Dame
- Anyone that knows me can attest that I really don't like the Irish very much, but that I have always respected their tradition and what their stamp on the sport has meant throughout the years. I know enough about their tradition to know that they are vastly overrated every now and again, and this seems to be one of those years in my very humble opinion. I will go ahead and say that they beat the USF, simply because Bulls QB B.J. Daniels is way too erratic to pull off a road upset, but that doesn't mean I expect a BCS bowl like way too many people out there. If anything, they definitely have a chance to rack up wins against inferior opponents but it will probably amount to an 8-9 win season and a chance to play in a decent bowl game.

USF- 21
ND- 28

Game 1- #16/18 Ohio State vs Akron

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Noon EST

TV: ESPN

Note: apologies on not finishing my Big Ten preview. There will be more attention to detail on Wisconsin and Nebraska during the week that the Buckeyes play them.

It is finally here, and it couldn't come soon enough.

Forget the NCAA investigations.

Try to ignore the shadow of Jim Tressel hovering over Luke Fickell.

It is time to play some football!

Not to sound completely cliche, but there is no time like the present to forget everything that has transpired since last December and actually hit somebody not wearing scarlet and gray on the football field.

Who better to beat up on then somebody that is a lot smaller and less talented than you are, right?

Akron makes the trip to Columbus to show the world that OSU really will fall 10,000 leagues in the sea to mediocrity, while OSU is out to "shock the world" and win it all in 2011. My money is definitely not on the first mission, but not necessarily on the second one either. All in all, I'll just put my money on the Bucks to win this one.

It will be a very interesting first quarter, as both senior Joe Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller are expected to take the field and show their stuff in what is less of a competition and more of a timeshare/preview of things to come this season at quarterback. Bauserman brings experience and leadership while Miller has the athleticism and talent to give defenses headaches. Expect Bauserman to be given the majority of the opportunities on Saturday.

My player to watch in this game is RB Jordan Hall, who has been practicing and learning with the wide receivers and new WR coach Stan Drayton, who coached with Urban Meyer down in Florida when former do-it-all Percy Harvin was in Gainesville. The expectation is that Hall will be asked to do a little bit of everything, whether it is run, catch out of the backfield or out of the slot, return punts, etc; really just anything to put the ball in his hands. If the rumors are true, then he could be the most exciting player on the team in 2011.

I expect the defense to let out a lot of frustration on Akron, limiting them to very few scoring opportunities. They are a young unit though, so it won't be a complete shutout in my opinion. The offense will be methodical throughout the game, but enough points will be put on the board against an Akron team that won only once in 2010 to earn a big victory in front of 105,000 fans.

The first OSU game of the season has never been more welcome to me than it is this season.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 34

Akron- 10