Big Ten Update

1. Iowa (4-0, 1-0)

2. Michigan (4-0, 1-0)

3. Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0)

4. Ohio State (3-1, 1-0)

5. Minnesota (3-1, 1-0)

6. Purdue (1-3, 0-0)

7. Indiana (3-1, 0-1)

8. Penn State (3-1, 0-1)

9. Northwestern (2-2, 0-1)

10. Illinois (1-2, 0-1)

11. Michigan State (1-3, 0-1)

If you told me before the season began that this would be the standings heading into the second week of conference play, I wouldn't hesitate to ridicule you in front of all your loved ones. However, it is true that Iowa (according to ESPN....) is the front runner to be in the Rose Bowl, while both Michigan and Wisconsin have made grand returns to the national stream of consciousness. Ohio State and Penn State will return to the top soon enough, so that isn't a concern. What is a concern, however, is how both Illinois and Michigan State have been walked all over all the way down to the cellar of the conference. Both teams had high hopes entering 2009, as well as the media and national pundits. Michigan State was more revered by most to be a darkhorse Big Ten title contender, while many people still felt as if Illinois would have the best offense in the Big Ten to compliment an improved defense.

I think that Michigan State will rebound nicely to still make a bowl appearance despite their awful start to the season which has included three CLOSE losses to Central Michigan, Notre Dame and undefeated Wisconsin. Illinois on the other hand should get used to being near the bottom. This team has looked terrible in every game this season and has seemingly quit on coach Ron Zook. I expect the former Big Ten coach of the year to be fired or resign by the end of the season with Illinois finishing in the bottom three of the conference.

Predicted Order of Finish....

1. Ohio State

2. Iowa

3. Penn State

4. Wisconsin

5. Michigan

6. Minnesota

7. Michigan State

8. Northwestern

9. Illinois

10. Indiana

11. Purdue

My Top 10- Week Five

1. Florida (4-0, Bye Week)

2. Alabama (4-0, @ Kentucky)

3. Texas (4-0, Bye Week)

4. LSU (4-0, @ Georgia)

5. Virginia Tech (3-1, @ Duke)

6. Boise State (4-0, vs UC Davis)

7. Ohio State (3-1, @ Indiana)

8. USC (3-1, @ California)

9. Oklahoma (2-1, @ Miami FL)

10. Cincinnati (4-0, @ Miami OH)

Outside Looking In...

Penn State (3-1) Should win the rest of their games before taking on the Buckeyes.

TCU (3-0) I think they are a better overall team than Boise State. Still need to prove it.

Iowa (4-0) After looking awful in week one, they have rattled off wins over 'Zona and PSU.

Oklahoma State (3-1) Despite dropping a game, they have tons of firepower.

Houston (3-0) wins over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech = impressive.

Again, I understand that USC beat Ohio State. They are playing better football and should've beaten the Trojans. I firmly believe that OSU is a better football team and is starting to slowly find their offensive identity.

Cincinnati is in the top ten.... for now. They may not even be the best team in the Big East after South Florida beat Florida State despite losing their star QB for the season.

LSU might be the least impressive highly ranked team now, but that could all change after they play Georgia next week, and then play host to the top ranked Florida Gators.

Game 4- #11/13 Ohio State (2-1) vs Illinois (1-1)

Where- Ohio Stadium

When- 3:30 PM EST

TV- ABC Regional (also on ESPN or ESPN2)

Since the week of the USC game, the Buckeyes have been practicing some exciting plays, formations and packages to utilize the speed, talent and potential of this year's offensive unit. Unless I've missed something, I haven't seen a single demonstration of any of these plays. That is the thing about Tressel: he will always practice these cool and potentially devastating plays, yet he may never carry them out in an actual game because it might jeopardize field position or what not. I wish I could tell you that the Illinois game will be the start of seeing more of these wrinkles on offense that have been devised lately, but I don't have faith at the moment in that. What I do have faith in is that the offense will continue to progress enough over the next several weeks that heading into the Penn State game the team will feel comfortable in executing the new plays that fit the talents of the offensive players, including QB Terrelle Pryor.

This is a no brainer, but I have extreme faith in the defense. They are one of the top groups in the nation, and should put a strangle hold on senior QB Juice Williams of Illinois all day long tomorrow. Still, Illinois may have the best receiving corps that the Buckeyes will see all season long, and quite possibly the most athletic signal caller outside of PSU's Darryl Clark, which could present some issues. Regardless, I will make this short and sweet: the offense will have it's moments and the defense will suffocate Illinois en route to a solid victory over the Illini in the Shoe.

The weather is calling for rain, so I will call for a lot of running....with Pryor....hopefully.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 30

Illinois- 16

What I've Been Saying For Two Years Now

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/4102/osu-hate-ou-love-creates-double-standard

good read on how the Oklahoma Sooners apparently wear the same shoes that OSU does, yet steals all the compliments with them on in public.

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown 4

#9/13 Miami @ #11/12 Virginia Tech-

I honestly would've never had the guts to say that Miami would be this good this early in the season. I didn't think they would be this good, period. An 8 or 9 win season wouldn't be too far out of the realm of possibility before the year began, but convincing wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech have shown that this year's Miami Hurricanes are ready to rumble. I like Virginia Tech - especially the defense- however I don't love them going into this game. They haven't shown an inkling of offensive production so far this season and I have yet to gain confidence in Tyrod Taylor's ability to beat a very good football team. Right now, as we speak, Miami is a very good football team that only continues to improve on defense. I like Miami to come away from Blacksburg with a sneaky victory over the Hokies to head into their showdown with Oklahoma at 3-0.

Prediction:

Miami- 27

VT- 20

Iowa @ #4/5 Penn State-

Last season this was the big time shocker in the conference that kept Penn State from playing for the national championship. Iowa, who won on a last second field goal in the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium, has to travel to take on a revenge seeking fan base and team in Happy Valley at night. That is not a good recipe for a victory. However, Iowa has won six of the last seven matchups overall against PSU, so I don't expect a lack of confidence to be the reason by the Hawkeyes lose this game. They will lose this game by not having enough offensive firepower to keep up with Penn State QB Daryll Clark and the high flying running game the Lions have displayed effortlessly since last season. Defense will keep Iowa in this one for awhile, but the final score won't look too favorable for good ole' Iowa.

Prediction:

PSU- 31

Iowa- 16

UPSET ALERT!!!

#4/5 Ole Miss @ South Carolina-

I don't know how to say it any other way: Ole Miss will lose this game. South Carolina is due for a big victory after not being able to pull out a win against Georgia, which ended up being rather high scoring. Whether or not UGA just had a bad defense, the Gamecocks have proved that they have an offense that is clicking at the moment, and Spurrier always has had a signature victory during his stint in Columbia. Mississippi and their flu bug takes the bait and gets caught in the bear trap that will result in a Thursday night loss to South Carolina.

Prediction:

Ole Miss- 28

S. Carolina- 34

Big Ten Rundown:

Michigan State blew the game versus Notre Dame and both Northwestern and Purdue lost to seemingly inferior opponents. Awesome. The reputation for the conference is reaching a low point, and nobody is too happy about it. At least Minnesota played great against California...

Let's see how the teams look now that conference play is set to begin.

#4/5 Penn State (3-0) over Iowa (3-0)

#11/13 Ohio State - Illinois prediction TBA

#22/23 Michigan (3-0) over Indiana (3-0)

Northwestern (2-1) over Minnesota (2-1)

Michigan State (1-2) over Wisconsin (3-0)

Notre Dame (2-1) over Purdue (1-2)

My Top 10 - Week Four

1. Florida (3-0, @ Kentucky)

2. Texas (3-0, vs UTEP)

3. Alabama (3-0, vs Arkansas)

4. California (3-0, @ Oregon)

5. Penn State (3-0, vs Iowa)

6. LSU (3-0, @ Mississippi State)

7. Boise State (3-0, @ Bowling Green)

8. Ole Miss (2-0, @ South Carolina)

9. Ohio State (2-1, vs Illinois)

10. USC (2-1, vs Washington State)

Outside Looking In...

Virginia Tech (2-1)

Oklahoma (2-1)

Miami, Fl. (2-0)

People can say what they want about how USC should be ranked ahead of USC, however facts are facts. OSU lost by three in the final minutes to the Trojans. USC lost in the final seconds to a program that had just won its first game since the end of the 2007 regular season. That is pathetic, and it happens all the time under Pete Carroll. I can easily justify my ranking.

Knee Jerk Reactions- Toledo

- The defense is one of the best in college football. By the end of the season, OSU fans will refer to this group as arguably the greatest in the Tressel era. There aren't many stand out All American type players, but they certainly can play football.

- Terrelle Pryor still has some things to work on, such as the all important foot work, but he did have his most total yardage output of his career and showed why he was the #1 overall recruit coming into college football last season. I expect to see Pryor continue to make mistakes but also make huge plays with both his arm and legs as the season goes on, and by the time the Buckeyes take on Penn State we should see how his progression has truly come along.

- Offensive line = best since 2005. Defensive line = best from top to bottom since the 2002-2003 seasons. The o-line still isn't perfect but if OSU ever figures out how to manage both Boom and Saine properly, along with freshman Jordan Hall, it could result in deadly production.

- I loved seeing Kurt Coleman making a huge senior play to preserve the shutout. The Rockets were inches away from scoring a touchdown when #4 pried the ball loose and the defense recovered to keep the scoreboard reading goose egg.

- Illinois will be a much bigger task than Toledo, but I think we will see the same production that the defensive line has brought to the table the past two weeks of the season. That means Illinois QB Juice Williams could be in for a longggg day.

Apology

There was no Toledo preview.... busy week and a not very interesting matchup.

Moving on.......

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown 3

#13/14 Georgia Tech (2-0) over #20/22 Miami, FL (1-0)

#13/14 Virginia Tech (2-0) over #18/19 Nebraska (2-0)

#1/1 Florida (2-0) over Tennessee (1-1) by 52.... why did Lane Kiffin have to open his mouth?

Big Ten Rundown-

Last week could have been the week that the Big Ten became relevant again with wins over Notre Dame and USC. However, OSU lost their chance at redemption and Michigan State fell to Central Michigan. Even though the bubble was burst, Minnesota has a chance this weekend to pull off a HUGE upset when they take on California in their brand new on-campus stadium. It should be closer than the experts think, but can the Gophers pull off the upset? Also, even though Arizona isn't considered to be a top 25 team, they have been picked by many to beat Iowa in Iowa City. It'll be an exciting weekend for Big Ten football.

#5/5 Penn State (2-0) over Temple

#25 Michigan (2-0) over Eastern Michigan

#7/8 California over Minnesota (2-0)

Wisconsin (2-0) over Wofford

Purdue (1-1) over Northern Illinois

Indiana (2-0) over Akron

Iowa (2-0) over Arizona

Northwestern (2-0) over Syracuse

Notre Dame (1-1) over Michigan State (1-1)

Predicted Big Ten record: 7-2 (OSU prediction TBA)

For What It's Worth...

This team should beat every team on their schedule and finish 11-1 based on what I saw on Saturday night.

This could be one of the best defenses of the Tressel era, and there have been some legendary ones for certain.

Pryor will improve on his foot work and play recognition. We all thought wrong that he was ready to be a star. He is going to be one, but it might not be until the end of the season. In the meantime, he will slowly be more and more studly each and every week.

There won't be a let down this week against Toledo. Why? Because every team presents an obstacle in getting to the Rose Bowl.

Why does this team want to get to the Rose Bowl so badly? It is not only because it will be the first Rose Bowl appearance for OSU since January of 1997, but because of who their opponent will likely be.

Yes, Ohio State and USC will play again in Pasadena on January 1st, 2010. Mark it down. Maybe Pryor will then have his Vince Young moment.

Also........

The defense against USC was the best defensive effort I have seen in about four years.

The crowd was the greatest I have ever been apart of.

I have all the confidence in the world that by the end of the season this team will shake its reputation for not winning the big games. Whether it is the Rose Bowl or another BCS bowl, I guarantee things will look different for the Buckeyes.

Our receivers are awesome. They just need to have someone give them the ball properly.

All the criticism about the offensive line = funny if you watched the USC game. They played tremendously.

Plays that changed the game:

Pryor's interception on the first drive

Not scoring a touchdown after Posey's reception brought OSU into the USC 5 yard line

Missed blocked punt in the fourth quarter by Grant Schwartz

Other than that, you can pinpoint everything on Pryor's inability to hit wide open receivers.

The pouting is over now, and this will be a great season for Ohio State football. The Rose Bowl will hopefully come at the end of the season, but for now there is the walking talking death trap also known as Toledo waiting in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday.

Oh, what the hell...I will go ahead and make this statement: our wounds will heal on the night of January 1st, which will lead to a national championship run in 2010.

My Top 10- Week 3

1. Florida (2-0, vs Tennessee)
2. Texas (2-0, vs Texas Tech)
3. Alabama (2-0, vs North Texas)
4. USC (2-0, @ Washington)
5. California (2-0, @ Minnesota)
6. Penn State (2-0, vs Temple)
7. Ole Miss (1-0, vs SE Louisiana.... who?)
8. LSU (2-0, vs UL-Lafayette)
9. BYU (2-0, vs Florida State)
10. Ohio State (1-1, vs Toledo)

Outside Looking In...

Boise State (2-0)
Oklahoma (1-1)
Georgia Tech (2-0)

Game 2- #7/8 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) vs #3/3 USC Trojans (1-0)

2007 BCS National Championship: Florida- 41, Ohio State- 14

2008 BCS National Championship: LSU- 38, Ohio State- 24

USC- 35, Ohio State- 3

Penn State- 13, Ohio State- 6

Texas- 24, Ohio State- 21

These are the results of the last five games OSU has played against top 5 teams since the end of the 2006 season.

Their effects on the team's mental psyche and the national perception of the program needs no further dissection. The words on the screen are self-explanatory.

Only two of those games, both coming last season against Penn State and Texas, were even relatively close. The other three were complete beat downs on national television. The Florida game started everything, and the LSU loss didn't help matters either. But aside from the Florida loss, you can't help but stop and stare at the way USC completely dismantled one of the most experienced Buckeye teams in recent memory last season in L.A. It was the worst outing of any team wearing the Scarlet and Grey in fourteen years, and it came when every OSU fan least expected it. How could a team with 28 seniors who all came back to win a national title play so poorly in the biggest redemption game of their careers? The answer is all in the head, guys. It was their mental toughness/psyche.

It is clear now, in hindsight - which tends to be 20/20 - that the teams that suffered all the terrible losses just didn't have the right mindset for the rest of their time at OSU and could never shake the stigma of blowing so many opportunities at greatness.

The 2009 team, aside from a few leftovers, has the opposite mentality.

This is a team that no matter who you talk to or what the situation is, they feel that they can win any game against any team, anytime, anywhere. Do you really want to sit here and tell me that OSU didn't outplay Navy for three quarters? This is college football, people. It is a game of momentum, and the Buckeyes lost it in the fourth quarter and Navy seized control. I could use so many different words, but screw what happened last week. What I saw was a team that has a true leader in Terrelle Pryor and when he is clicking, the team is clicking. And this may sound a little cocky (even though Pryor wouldn't have it any other way), but he is usually always clicking these days. I saw a defense that went up against one of the most difficult offenses to prepare for in all of football, and after an awful first drive took care of business for the next two and a half quarters.

Want to hear a secret? Tressel didn't even have a huge say in the game planning defensively against Navy. The assistant coaches drew up the ENTIRE gameplan for the Buckeye defense, while Tressel and the main cogs on the coaching staff worked on the plan for USC. This isn't just a recent occurrence. This has been going on for the entire offseason. Tressel knows that this game is HUGE. The players know this is HUGE. The difference between this team and the teams of old? They are confident...they believe. They think that they are going to hit USC in the mouth, control the line of scrimmage, and place the program back on the top of the college football world by seasons end.

What this all amounts to is that the program and the players believe that they will win this game. Even the coaches have the quiet confidence that I haven't seen the likes of since before the Florida game. It feels like old times again...with one exception: THE FAN BASE THINKS WE ARE GOING TO DIE ON SATURDAY NIGHT!

Are you serious? This is Ohio State. OSU fans should never feel pessimistic about a big time game at home at night. We don't fear opponents, but rather they should fear us. It has always been this way, and now, because Navy gave the team a few fits and due to the recent OSU track record in games against the top five, apparently we Buckeye fans are bottom feeders in the college football universe just scraping and clawing and praying that we can stay close to USC. Let me repeat that: stay CLOSE. That. Is. Absolutely. Pathetic. And this needs to change immediately. No...not immediately. I will let OSU fans get all their negativity and angst out for the remaining of the day. Tomorrow, when its game time, the fans in the 'Shoe better be ready. They better be loud. They will NOT be intimidated. This will give Ohio State the greatest home field advantage that they could possibly ask for in such a dire situation.

There isn't much strategically to discuss in this matchup. Stop the run and OSU could still lose. Shut down true freshman QB Matt Barkley and OSU can still lose. It will take pure heart to beat the Trojans, and I think it is going to happen.

Barkley has been quoted as saying to the Ohio State fan base: "Bring it on... I have a loud voice and will lead this offense.... I am not scared".

He will be scared when Thaddeus Gibson sits his ass down early in the first quarter. The silver bullet defense will be cruel to Matt Barkley. There will be evidence of this cruelty by the stains on his jersey, and the blood running down his face, and the cleat marks on his arms. He WILL be stepped all over tomorrow night, and will be frightened for years to come by the nightmare that will be September 12th, 2009, when an entire arena full of blood thirsty OSU jeers and cheers at the sight of Barkley being physically dismantled.

This was a biased posting, and this is a biased statement: a new era of Buckeye football begins tomorrow night. The old era of losing will cease to exist.

Pryor scores three touchdowns and leads the charge in an upset of the USC Trojans.

To quote Matt Barkley, "Bring it on".

Prediction:

Ohio State- 30

Southern Cal- 17

Guarantee

One guarantee about USC @ Ohio State = you won't see much, if any, of this.

Pryor gave the Trojans fits as a freshman, even when they knew he was just running the ball. Now he can throw, is playing at home, and has the entire team behind him.

I repeat myself: get this image out of your head, because it won't happen much, if at all, on Saturday night.

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown- 2

#18/20 Notre Dame (1-0) @ Michigan (1-0) -

I always love watching this rivalry game because it represents two of college football's classic powerhouse programs. Both are coming off some not so subtle rocky stretches of time, whether it be Notre Dame's combined 10-13 over the past two seasons or Michigan's 3-9 season in 2008. Despite all of this, both have put their best foot forward to start this season and look to be on the right track to getting back to respectability. Notre Dame has the better QB in Jimmy Clausen, and probably the better overall team. They could eventually be good enough to qualify for a BCS bowl. Michigan won't be BCS good this season, but I have to tell you that they want this game more than the Golden Domers. This is Michigan's statement game and they won't settle for anything less than a victory. The underdog generally plays extremely well in this game, so I am giving the edge to Michigan and their much improved, tenacious defense. Hail to the above-average victors...

Notre Dame- 24

Michigan- 26

Clemson (1-0) @ #13/15 Georgia Tech (1-0) -

This is an interesting matchup because I believe that Clemson has the type of athletic guys in the front seven that can help slow down Georgia Tech's triple option offense. Despite this, Clemson just doesn't have the confidence on the other side of the ball outside of outstanding RB C.J. Spiller, and will probably fall a few scores short of knocking off the Yellow Jackets.

Clemson- 23

G Tech- 33

UCLA (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0) -

Sigh. This is what this week comes down to: matchups like this. If it wasn't for Notre Dame @ Michigan and USC @ Ohio State, this would be a terrible week for college football. Regardless, there are a few storylines here. Tennessee lost in comeback fashion to UCLA last season in L.A. which propelled them to a less than spectacular five win season that saw long time coach Phil Fulmer see his way out of Knoxville. UCLA didn't exactly feed off the momentum that was the big win over Tennessee last season, however both programs feel a sense of rejuvenation under new leadership and prospects on their roster. Tennessee, which faces Florida in the Swamp next week, needs to avoid looking ahead to their hated rivals and take care of business at home against a confident, Rick Neuheisel-coached team that will have no fear against the Volunteers. The reason Tennessee wins is not just because of the talent differential, but because Lane Kiffin will have more at his disposal to throw at UCLA than the opposition does. It won't be pretty, but it will most certainly be a Tennessee victory that keeps the fan base feeling good about themselves. Next on the Vol's plate: a date against the top ranked Florida Gators. This isn't the most intriguing matchup but don't forget that Lane Kiffin has guaranteed a victory over the Gators..... what an idiot.

UCLA- 13

Tenn- 28

Big Ten Rundown-

Last week didn't bode too well for the conference, with Iowa struggling to best Northern Iowa, Minnesota barely escaping the lowly Syracuse Orange, and Illinois blowing a HUGE opportunity against a "depleted" Missouri team by getting destroyed in St. Louis. I see the conference having one of its biggest weeks in two years this upcoming Saturday.

#3/3 USC @ #7/8 Ohio State- preview tomorrow

#5/7 Penn State over Syracuse

Northwestern over Eastern Michigan

Western Michigan over Indiana

Michigan State over Central Michigan

Wisconsin over Fresno State

Iowa over Iowa State

Minnesota over Air Force

Illinois over Illinois State

Oregon over Purdue

Michigan over Notre Dame

predicted conference record: 8-2 (USC/OSU victor TBA)

Revenge on Their Minds

Revenge is always nice, but understanding why you want/need revenge is probably a good starting point. This might refresh everyone's memories....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylv4NNibNYQ&feature=related

My Top 10 - Week Two

1. Florida (1-0, vs Troy)

2. Texas (1-0, @ Wyoming)

3. Alabama (1-0, vs Florida International)

4. USC (1-0, @ Ohio State)

5. Oklahoma State (1-0, vs Houston)

6. Ohio State (1-0, vs USC)

7. Penn State (1-0, vs Syracuse)

8. LSU (1-0, vs Vanderbilt)

9. BYU (1-0, @ Tulane)

10. Oklahoma (1-0, vs Idaho State)

Outside Looking In...

Ole Miss (1-0)

Georgia Tech (1-0)

Virginia Tech (0-1)

Boise State (1-0)

Knee Jerk Reactions- Navy

First of all, congrats to Navy on playing some good football today. The fact that they made it as close as it was is more of a testament to how they run their program as opposed to how OSU "screwed up" today.

With that said, here are some of my reactions to today's game...

Final Score: Ohio State 31, Navy 27

- Pryor is the real deal at QB. There is no reason to believe that anyone in this conference can hang with what he has to offer, and I hope that USC doesn't underestimate him going into next week's matchups or else he will make them pay. He is still young and doesn't make perfect deeper throws, but he keeps plays alive and can lead this team to big things down the stretch.

- Duron Carter is the most impressive true freshman receiver that I have seen play at Ohio State in years. Ted Ginn wasn't nearly as developed as this kid is right now when he was a true frosh, giving me reason to believe that he deserves more playing time.

- Speaking of Carter, he needs to be starting ahead of Taurian Washington. Once again when #5 was given a chance to make plays in a real game he didn't produce (ala two dropped passes). He shines in the preseason, and fails to live up to his billing when the big stage arrives.

- The offensive line will be better. That is a fact. However, once again, an OSU offensive line played down to the competition. If they struggle against USC, then I will lose hope with the coaching staff, including Jim Bollman, because they just can't seem to push smaller defensive lines into the ground. I know that all the players love Bollman, but that doesn't reflect on his coaching credentials/style. I know people that I think are great to be around, yet I know that they suck in many aspects of life. I am hoping this is not the case with Coach Bollman.

- The running backs look aggressive and determined. We didn't even get to see a preview of the freshmen backs Berry or Hall, so we don't truly know how deep the backfield is, but Saine and Boom look like extremely dependable backs. I am praying that I can consistently say that throughout the season...especially after USC. I loved how we threw to Boom a lot today, too. Maybe Tressel could get the faster Saine more involved? Just a suggestion.

- WE THREW TO THE TIGHT ENDS TODAY!!!! That's essentially the equivalent to spotting a leprechaun in your backyard.

- Defense = still unproven. Don't let their stock be effected by how they played today. The triple option is tough to defend, let alone practice for. The true test comes Saturday at 8 PM.

- Kurt Coleman is an All-American candidate. He can't compete with the likes of USC's Taylor Mays or Tennessee's Eric Berry, but he is certainly one of the best safeties in the country.

- Aaron Pettrey is our next all conference kicker - and possible Groza Award contender- if he stops missing extra points.

That just about sums it up......

BEAT USC!

That seems to be the only thing on my mind momentarily.

Game 1- #6/6 Ohio State vs Navy Midshipmen

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Noon EST

TV: ESPN

Football season is finally here, and what better way to open up a season than taking on someone other than Youngstown State?

When a team with a fetish for the triple-option and cut blocking comes into the Shoe, I suppose more attention is required than the likes of a Youngstown State-esq team (with all due respect to the Penguins). Not only is it a much more formidable opponent, but it represents a completely different challenge that these young Bucks haven't seen the likes of in...well...ever. How will OSU respond to the obstacle of avoiding looking ahead to USC and getting past a Navy program who has been to six straight bowl games and have won the majority of them? That answer will have to wait until tomorrow at high noon in Columbus, but I sense that this is an Ohio State team that isn't afraid of facing anything out of the ordinary this season. With such a young group of guys that have only been accustomed to winning their entire lives dating back to their high school days, you can expect them to play fearless on offense and with reckless (well, hopefully not too reckless) abandon on defense. To quote an inside source within the program, the 2009 football team will "probably make a lot of mistakes, but will play at 150 mph".

In short, what Navy brings to the table tomorrow may be challenging and give the silver bullet defense headaches early and often, however it won't alter the inevitable outcome of the game. Ohio State will handle the Midshipmen due to overall better athleticism, strength and speed on both sides of the ball. I have all the respect in the world for the Naval Academy and anyone who serves our country, but regardless they won't even be able to catch the after burner that Terrelle Pryor leaves behind when he runs all over the Navy defense. I see Pryor having near 100 yards rushing on the day, with at least three total touchdowns en route to a classic beat down of an otherwise worthy season opening opponent.

The real challenge is on September 12th, and I am praying that the Buckeyes don't look ahead. I hope the same for me as well.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 34

Navy- 10

Games of the Week/ Big Ten Rundown

#5/5 Alabama vs #7/7 Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)-

The last time that these two teams took the field to conclude the 2008 season, two very different stories were told. Virginia Tech was crowned the Orange Bowl champion and is now considered a national title contender in 2009. Alabama, having been #1 in the polls before blowing a fourth quarter lead over eventual national champ Florida, had a long fall from grace which was capped off by a substantially embarrassing loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Either we see the same story being told with the confidence of V-Tech shining throughout the game en route to a victory, or the dominate Bama team of last season will reemerge and take care of business. I don't see an extreme case of either scenario, however I like Alabama's defense way too much to have them lose this game. Tech QB Tyrod Taylor still has to prove that he can throw the football, and I haven't seen it yet in his first two seasons. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide will prevail.

Alabama- 23

V Tech- 20

#3/3 Oklahoma vs #20/24 BYU (in Dallas)-

On paper this isn't much of a game. Oklahoma was averaging 60 points a game during their dominate final stretch of the season (before running into the freight train that is Florida football), and is looking to pick up the pieces after another disappointing BCS game performance. It shouldn't be hard for them considering they bring back the Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford and the usual suspects on both sides of the ball. BYU won't win this game, but they will put points on the board. I guarantee it. QB Max Hall has an innate ability to pick apart any defense he faces, while the running game featuring Harvey Unga can be ferocious (when Unga is healthy). Good news for BYU: Unga is healthy. It will be somewhat entertaining, but in the end OU is just too damn good.

Oklahoma- 48

BYU- 24

#13/13 Georgia @ #9/11 Oklahoma State-

Oklahoma State has three huge names that will all be in the running for All-Big 12 honors and All-American honors: QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant and RB Kendall Hunter. Georgia lost everybody. Looks like we are heading for a blowout.....but not so fast. Georgia has one of the most underrated defenses in college football heading into this season. Don't be surprised to see Georgia win the battles on the line of scrimmage and keep the explosive Oklahoma State offense in check. I think the Cowboys win this game, but it will be extremely close. I like Georgia A LOT this season. I want to say that the SEC prevails in this one, but I just can't go against the hyped up Stillwater crowd with the offense they will bring to the table. The Bulldogs keep the score from getting high and lose a nail biter.

Georgia- 24

OSU- 31

Big Ten Rundown:

#8/9 Penn State over Akron

#21/22 Iowa over Northern Iowa

Michigan State over Montana State

Minnesota over Syracuse

Purdue over Toledo

Illinois over Missouri

Wisconsin over Northern Illinois

Michigan over Western Michigan (UPSET ALERT)

Indiana over Eastern Kentucky

My Top 10 - Week One

1. Florida Gators (vs Charleston Southern)

2. Texas Longhorns (vs UL-Monroe)

3. Oklahoma Sooners (vs BYU, in Dallas)

4. Alabama Crimson Tide (vs Virginia Tech, in Atlanta)

5. USC Trojans (vs San Jose State)

6. Ohio State Buckeyes (vs Navy)

7. Virginia Tech Hokies (vs Alabama, in Atlanta)

8. Penn State Nittany Lions (vs Akron)

9. LSU Tigers (@ Washington)

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (vs Georgia)

Outside Looking In...

Ole Miss Rebels

Rest of Teams TBA