Game 8- #19 Ohio State (5-2, 3-1) vs Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Noon EST

TV: ESPN

I'm really not in the mood to comment on this game, because the next two weeks are the worst thing to go through after an unexpected loss. Mediocre teams after a loss = boredom and highly critical fans rambling on until you play your next real opponent. Playing Penn State will get this fan base back on track, but that isn't for another two weeks. Instead of talking about Minnesota, here are a few things that I want to see out of this team by the end of the season:

1. Run the spread offense out of the shotgun effectively. Lower level WAC teams can run this offense, but OSU can't and it is way too frustrating. It can most certainly be fixed, but we will need to be patient about it. The talent is there, but all of the young pieces (the majority of this offense are sophomores) need to all be on the same page.

2. NO HUDDLE. QUICK PLAY CALLING. This will instill a sense of urgency in the offense and will allow Pryor an opportunity to simply make plays as opposed to thinking too much and hurting the offense. It would be more effective than what is happening now.

3. Showing promise against teams like Penn State, Iowa and Michigan to earn a BCS bowl spot so the Buckeyes can still prove themselves against top competition in January. Whatever bowl game OSU plays in could and should be a launching pad for what should be an amazing 2010 team. But first things first: beat Minnesota, NMSU, PSU, Iowa and Michigan.

4. Be patient. Everyone. The coaches, fans, media, etc. Troy Smith ran all of the time and wasn't a good quarterback until after the 2005 Penn State game in the middle of his redshirt junior year. Because Pryor was so heavily recruited, we would expect to see an astronomical leap with him this season. To put it simply though, it isn't going to happen this season...unless it is after the Michigan game. He is an amazing athlete, so utilize him as such. Run him! Be creative! Under Tressel this probably won't happen, but it might need to if anyone expects to win out and be crowned a Big Ten champion for the fifth time in a row.

Oh, and OSU beats Minnesota. The offense will look better, obviously, but not too pretty while the defense will suffocate the Golden Gophers.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 27

Minnesota- 10

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 8

#8 TCU @ #16 BYU-

The sad fact of it is that this is the national game of the week...and this week in college football is the typical let down week where no great games are scheduled. Hopefully some upsets occur...but moving on, I like TCU more than I do BYU. I have always like what coach Patterson has done down in Forth Worth and like the style of football that the Horned Frogs play more than the Cougars (or the Mormons). However, TCU is due for a loss and this is probably their only legit chance of failing on the national stage. BYU is more battle tested and should squeak this one out late in the fourth quarter. For the second year in the a row it should be a true classic.

Prediction:

BYU- 20

TCU- 16

#13 Penn State @ Michigan-

It is odd picking the winner of this game simply because I am still not a believer in Michigan's football team, yet I know that Michigan owns this series, especially in the Big House. I fully comprehend the Wolverine's progression from an awful team to an exciting team, but exciting and good aren't always necessarily the same thing. The defense isn't as strong as I expected, while the offense still hasn't had a completely dominating performance against a good defense. They will most certainly play a good defense this Saturday. Penn State will play their style of football and ultimately win this game, but big blue will hang around most of the day to put a scare into the Lions. If Michigan puts up more than 30 on this defense, than maybe I'll finally respect the Wolverine offense fully. I doubt it happens, though.

Prediction:

Penn State- 27

Michigan- 23

Oregon State @ #7 USC-

Yeah...it is that bad of a week. This isn't exactly game of the week material, albeit this was a game that sent shock waves throughout the country last September when the Beavers upset USC. The Trojans have had this game circled on their calendar, which means that they won't overlook their opponent and they will probably win. I don't see any reason to think differently. The last REAL test of the season for USC comes next week when they travel to Eugene to take on the red hot Oregon Ducks.

Prediction:

USC- 34

OSU- 14

Big Ten Rundown:

Minnesota (4-3) @ Ohio State (5-2) TBA

Penn State (6-1) over Michigan (5-2)

Iowa (7-0) over Michigan State (4-3) ...closer than the experts think.

Northwestern (4-3) over Indiana (4-3)

Purdue (2-5) over Illinois (1-5)

Projected Bowl Teams

Iowa (11-1) Co- Big Ten Champs

Ohio State (10-2) Co-Big Ten Champs

Penn State (10-2) two conference losses

Wisconsin (9-3) another Outback bowl

Michigan (8-4) could give Rich Rod first bowl win in Ann Arbor

Michigan State (7-5) Who knows

Northwestern (7-5) Who knows

Minnesota (6-6) Who knows

My Top Ten- Week Eight

......... I feel like an idiot. But I'll move on soon.

1 a. Florida (6-0, @ Mississippi State)

1 b. Alabama (7-0, vs Tennessee)

3. Texas (6-0, @ Missouri)

4. USC (5-1, vs Oregon State

5. Boise State (6-0, @ Hawaii)

6. Iowa (7-0, @ Michigan State)

7. Cincinnati (6-0, vs Louisville)

8. LSU (5-1, vs Auburn)

9. Miami, FL (5-1, vs Clemson)

10. Georgia Tech (6-1, @ Virginia)

Outside Looking In...

TCU

Oregon

Penn State

Oklahoma State

Virginia Tech

Where's OSU? 20th for me....

Game 7- #7/7 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) @ Purdue (1-5, 0-3)

Where: Ross-Ade Stadium (West Lafayette, IN)

When: Noon EST

TV: Big Ten Network

I don't have much to brag about, but I will say that I accurately predicted the score of the Wisconsin game this past weekend. I went the entire week without mentioning it to anyone, while others might have boasted the fact. I figured this was an appropriate venue to say FINALLLYYYYY it's been years since I've predicted a final score correctly.

Moving on, the Buckeyes may have in fact scored 31 points, yet only ten of them were accrued by the offensive side of the ball. How is that even possible? I don't even want to hear all of the excuses because they all amount to one simple aspect of football: not executing. That, and only having the ball for barely even ten minutes. Regardless of the offensive ineffectiveness displayed by Terrelle Pryor and the offense, the defense played its fifth straight outstanding game. The silver bullet defense truly looks like one of the best in the nation (yet again) and may be even more nasty than the units that featuring Laurinaitis, Jenkins, Gholston and Freeman. Special teams played a near perfect day, even if they did give up a fake field goal touchdown in the first half. To summarize the Wisconsin game, it is evident that Ohio State has a very good football team with or without an explosive offense. At the end of the day, that is the sign of a pretty solid team.

The attitude in the locker room with the players and coaches seems to be that of immense confidence in what the offense will achieve the rest of the season, starting with Purdue this weekend. Coming off a horrid performance, that is the kind of mentality i like to see in a young team. Pryor, Saine, Small, Posey and Ballard are all players who have come out and said that the offense is clicking for the first time all season and that they are ready to light up the scoreboard.

Hmmm....this is a good weekend to start, considering they are playing one of the worst defenses in the Big Ten to go along with the fact that Purdue turns the ball over more than anyone else in the conference. If you go by the facts, then the Bucks will have plenty of opportunities to put up points on offense in West Lafayette.

Look for RB Brandon Saine to be a huge benefactor in the offense this weekend, to go along with big games from WRs DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher and of course (shock) Terrelle Pryor. I am calling for Pryor to have the best game of the season, which will lead to two straight weeks of consistent play from him leading into the Penn State game. The defense will, as always, hold up its end of the bargain which means that in the end Purdue won't have too much to toot their horns about (get it?). It will get UGLY in West Lafayette on Saturday. The only thing Boilermaker fans should be excited about is that they have a good new head coach in Danny Hope to go along with some nice weather for Saturday. Then again, I'm quit the optimist. Maybe they should just go ahead and quit before OSU's team bus arrives tomorrow night.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 41

Purdue- 10

Path to the National Championship

I have it all figured out, and it really isn't rocket science. To be honest, it is quite rational and highly likely.

Ohio State will be in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, CA on Thursday, January 7th on ABC.

How is this possible you ask? Let's break it down...

These are the current projected BCS rankings (the first official poll will be released on Sunday afternoon) :

1. Florida Gators (undefeated)

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (undefeated)

3. Virginia Tech Hokies (one loss)

4. Texas Longhorns (undefeated)

5. Boise State (undefeated)

6. USC (one loss)

7. LSU (one loss)

8. OHIO STATE (one loss)

9. Cincinnati (undefeated)

10. Iowa (undefeated)

You must be a conference champion to play for the national championship. Keep that in mind as we continue...

Florida or Alabama will be eliminated from championship contention by virtue of this rule. Theoretically, this moves OSU ahead a spot. Oh, wait, make that two spots because Boise State will never play for the national championship and if OSU keeps winning they would ultimately jump the WAC powerhouse.

This leaves teams like Texas, Virginia Tech, USC and LSU ahead of the Buckeyes. Hmmm.... what did I say about the SEC? Only one team will qualify, and there are three teams ahead of the Buckeyes. Eliminate LSU from this conversation, please. They aren't good enough.

Texas hasn't looked quite up to par this season, and have a legitimate shot to lose this weekend to Oklahoma, if not down the stretch. If they lose a game, and win out to win the Big 12 championship then they will probably get to the big dance. I don't think this will happen, though. I have a hunch that Oklahoma will win out by virtue of having a better defense and having their Heisman winning QB back from injury. A two loss OU team wins the Big 12, eliminating Texas.

Virginia Tech and USC are the only two teams in the way of the Buckeyes at this point. If you look from a historical standpoint, the ACC teams will all beat up on each other leaving a 2 or 3 loss conference champion. I don't see why this season won't be any different. I like Virginia Tech, but only as a two loss conference champion. Bump the Hokies from contention.

It comes down to USC again????? That just isn't fair. Well, technically it is fair because the Trojans took down the beloved Buckeyes back on September 12th, but you know what I mean. USC has to play on the road at Notre Dame and red hot Oregon, while also needing to not fall prey to yet another low level opponent.

In short: if USC's competence against lesser opponents, matched with two tough road games, is what stands in front of OSU getting to the national championship game against the SEC champion (I assume), then I guess I am somewhat confident.

Oh, and Cincinnati will lose. It's not even a conversation to be had, really.

Here is how I see things shaking up at the end of the season....

Rose Bowl-

Oregon (10-2) vs Boise State (12-0) ...... I picked this simply for intrigue purposes

Sugar Bowl-

Alabama (12-1) vs Virginia Tech (11-2)

Fiesta Bowl-

Texas (11-1) vs USC (10-2)

Orange Bowl-

South Florida (10-2) vs Oklahoma (11-2)

BCS National Championship Game-

Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) vs Florida Gators (13-0)

By the way, I understand OSU and its inept offense have to win out in order to play for the national championship.

I also understand that the offense WILL improve, and that this defense is just as good as Alabama's, Florida's, etc.

Alabama features sheer power; Florida pure speed. OSU has a little bit of everything.

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 7

#18/20 Oklahoma (3-2) vs #2/3 Texas (5-0) in Dallas -

The annual Red River Rivalry (aka the Red River Shootout) always has a lot at stake simply because it is one of the best rivalries in college football. It was supposed to be one of the greatest this season, yet has failed to live up to the hype. The reason? Sam Bradford's injury in their season opening loss to BYU. You figure that if Bradford was healthy the Sooners would have been able to at least fend off BYU and more than likely beat Miami. Regardless, it looks like Oklahoma has everything to gain and Texas has everything to lose. The Longhorns have A LOT of pressure to win this game. I feel like Colt McCoy is the QB to get it done for Texas this season, yet Oklahoma has way too much to prove in this game. I liked Texas all throughout the off season to beat their rivals, however I am calling for the upset as Oklahoma upsets the Longhorns to remain in the race to win the Big 12 championship.

Prediction:

Oklahoma- 30

Texas- 24

#5/6 USC (4-1) @ #25/25 Notre Dame (4-1) -

Does anyone else feel as if the Fighting Irish should be ranked a little bit higher considering all the praise that ESPN gives them? I think they might deserve to be slightly higher, but not too much higher considering how they had to fend off both Washington and Purdue late, and needed a lot of luck to beat Michigan State. Despite these close losses, it seems as if Charlie Weis has the tools to finally beat the Trojans. Good luck with that one, Chuck. I like USC to go into South Bend, run the football effectively, and open up the game for Matt Barkley throwing the ball down field to his talented receivers. It won't be pretty early, but it will be beautiful late in the game for USC when they shut down Jimmy Clausen and the Irish.

Prediction:

USC- 34

ND- 17

#4/4 Virginia Tech (5-1) @ #19/20 Georgia Tech (5-1) -

Everyone is sleeping on Georgia Tech. Why? They have one of the top rushing offenses in the country to go along with an improved passing attack. I don't have many reasons behind what I'm about to say, but I think Virginia Tech will lose one more game this season...and this is it. I love Virginia Tech's team, but I like them just enough to say that they finish 10-2 and then go on to win the ACC championship. Georgia Tech gets one more touchdown that VT in a surprising defensive battle en route to an upset of the fourth ranked Hokies.

Prediction:

GT- 23

VT- 16

Big Ten Rundown...

Michigan fell to Iowa (expectingly), and everything else went as expected I suppose. Look for this week to fall under the same category....with the exception of Iowa going down in Madison.

#7/7 Ohio State (5-1) @ Purdue (1-5) : TBA

Wisconsin (5-1) over #11/12 Iowa (6-0)

#13/14 Penn State (5-1) over Minnesota (4-2)

Michigan (4-2) over Delaware State

Michigan State (3-3) over Northwestern (4-2)

Illinois (1-4) over Indiana (3-3)

UPSET ALERT!!!!

This week in college football might as well be considered a trap for any favored team playing, because there are way too many upset alert games for the majority of top 25 teams. The traps have been set to snare many unsuspecting victims this week, but who will lose? Let's look at the match ups...

#11/12 Iowa (6-0) @ Wisconsin (5-1) -

I will go ahead and say that Iowa has a legit defense, a great head coach and seems to have an aura about them in clutch situations this season. I will call their bluff and say that they will lose to an extremely physical Wisconsin football team. The Badgers will remind Iowa that offense is a key to winning football games 9 times out of 10, and the Hawkeyes won't be able to muster enough points. Verdict: UPSET

#22/22 South Carolina (5-1) @ #2/3 Alabama (6-0) -

In the SEC many greats teams haven fallen to seemingly unworthy opponents, yet still go on to achieve great things (see Florida or LSU the past three seasons). This could be yet another example. The Gamecocks have a swagger on defense to go with much improved play by QB Stephen Garcia which has led to some great victories this season, most especially the win over Ole Miss. I guess I will go with some simple math here: SC beat Ole Miss close, while Bama killed the Rebels. In short, Bama will beat South Carolina in a close game. Stupid equations aside, I do think Alabama will almost fall to South Carolina but will be too powerful along the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter for coach Spurrier's team to handle. Verdict: No Upset.

#8/9 Cincinnati (5-0) @ #21/21 South Florida (5-0) -

I don't need to explain myself here, and I will go ahead and say what everyone already knows I'm going to say: Cincinnati will lose Thursday night. South Florida was my preseason favorite to win the Big East conference, and has proven to be just as powerful of a team without star QB Matt Groethe. I won't back off of them now, seeing as how they have improved each and every week this season. UC won't be able to generate enough defensive stops and USF will send the "best team in Ohio" back home with an even bigger chip on their shoulder as usual. GO BULLS! Verdict: BIG TIME UPSET