By now you know who is facing whom in all of the BCS games this year.  But for the record here is the rundown:

Sugar Bowl:

Cincinnati vs. Florida

Fiesta Bowl:

Boise State vs. Texas Christian

Orange Bowl:

Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

Rose Bowl:

Oregon vs. Ohio State

BCS National Championship Game:

Texas vs. Alabama

Well, as much as it would seem that the BCS hates the Big Ten, they’re one of only two conferences to get two teams into BCS bowls.  (Partially due to the two “mid-majors” in the Fiesta Bowl.)  I would love to see Texas beat Alabama because I really don’t like the SEC and never have, but I’m kind of getting tired of this whole “Big 12 vs. SEC” game for the national championship.  And I really don’t understand the Fiesta Bowl matchup.  I know both TCU and Boise have been trying to make a case to play for the title, but playing each other isn’t going to get it done.  If anything, I think the greatest interest would have come from switching TCU and Cincy in their respective bowl games.  But I digress.  For the state of Ohio football, I hope that Florida puts Cincinnati in their place by 30 and that Ohio State is able to muscle out a win against Oregon.  Tell me your predictions below in the comments section.

My history major brain is telling me that no Civil War battle ever took place in Oregon.  But, if this were 140 years ago we might be getting pretty close.  Oregon and Oregon State are currently locked in their annual Civil War.  I can’t imagine what those who are devout American-ites would be saying about the rivalry if it was as huge as, say…The Game.  But, I digress.  Oregon hasn’t been to the Rose Bowl since 1995 and Oregon State hasn’t been there since 1964.  No matter who wins, our Buckeyes will be facing two teams who love to run the football and take it up and down the field.  Unfortunately for them, the Pac-10 has this nasty habit of not playing defense very well (part of the reason why USC has dominated the past decade).  Who would you rather see in Pasadena on January 1?  I was rooting for Arizona, but since that’s out of the question, I’ll go with Oregon State for a number of reasons.

Your’s truly just jumped in Mirror Lake for the first time in his life.  It was actually pretty warm.  The last two years it was snowing.  There was a newspaper photographer taking pictures there, so look for me in tomorrow’s Dispatch.  It may or may not happen.  In either case, LET’S BEAT MICHIGAN. (regardless of what terrelle pryor is doing after the last victory.)

Now, bear with me a for a moment after what I’m about to say.  Terrelle Pryor has been pretty good passing the ball the last two games.  I mean good to the tune of 24/48 (50%), 374 yds, 3 TDs, and only 1 INT.  While the completion percentage doesn’t look quite like Colt McCoy’s the TD:INT ratio is where I like to see it.  Want to hear something more surprising than those numbers?  In the past two games, Pryor has only been sacked once.  Now, granted, one of these games was against New Mexico State, but that doesn’t mean that the starting 11 doesn’t have to go out there on Saturdays and do their jobs right.

Does anyone else see a correlation between the two stats?  Well, compare those numbers for the past two games with the Oct. 17 loss at Purdue.  Pryor was 17/31 (55%), 221 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs.  In addition, Pryor lost two fumbles.  And as for the offense line that game?  They gave up 5 sacks.  Yeah, I’m starting to see a pattern here.

It may be elementary that passers who get better protection are going to pass better, but Pryor has been taking heat all year for his throwing, but the fact of the matter is he’s been under pressure all year behind an offensive line that has been more porous than swiss cheese.  Now this doesn’t absolve Pryor from all the blame, but surely it at least covers some of it.  I would love to have some numbers on the amount of time Pryor has had from the snap of the ball until he throws or is forced to scramble/roll out because of pressure.  But as a college kid who lives off of $60 every two weeks for groceries, I’m not really in the market for a DVR.

However, what I will be doing this weekend as I’m downing Budweiser’s watching the game from the comfort of my living room is taking the time and effort to calculate that exact stat for examination.  Make a mental note of it yourself, if Pryor is given ample time in which to make a decision about where he should throw or whether he should tuck it and run without being chased from the backfield by a defensive lineman or a blitzing linebacker he should have games comparable to his last two and the team will have a greater chance of coming out of Happy Valley with a Happy W.

I wrote a piece after the USC loss and decided not to publish it because I thought it was overly critical of a young offense and Jim Tressel.

I wrote a piece after the Wisconsin win and decided not to publish it because I thought you couldn’t judge the offense with what little time they had on the field.

The 26-18 loss at Purdue didn’t open eyes, as much as reaffirm beliefs. The game could have and should have been a blowout for Purdue. Luckily, Purdue was confused initially; they thought they needed trick plays to beat the Buckeyes, before realizing it was easier to dominate in all phases of the game.

So how did we get here? It’s not like the recent offensive struggles are an outlier to the Jim Tressel era. Just two years ago, there was a battle to replace Heisman Trophy winning QB named Troy Smith. Todd Boeckman walked away the winner in part because of his conservative play, in stark contrast to the errant Robbie Schoenhoft and young Antonio Henton. In my mind, I imagine Boeckman, Schoenhoft, and Henton at a watch party together, staring in amazement at the current state of the Ohio State offense and thinking that could be them. It’s hard to say that they are envious of the position. Only Todd Boeckman knew what it was like to play behind the blocking schemes and attempt to execute the plays, and at this point, it’s hard to use him as the scapegoat. Robbie Schoenhoft is thinking that the requirements to lead a Tressel offense must have changed. He was the gunslinger with the big arm and all the potential in the world, but lacked the ability to deliver the ball at, near, or around the intended receiver. I’ll take a page from Tony Gerdeman at the Ozone.net and say:

Troy Smith must have been the best damned quarterback in college football history.

The only logical conclusion I can draw from all this is that Troy Smith was actually a Terminator sent back from the future to protect Ohio State fans from Tresselball. Unfortunately, the Troyminator was defeated by the NCAA’s ‘5 to play 4’ rule.

Jim Tressel is like a kid who can’t swim, continuously jumping of the diving board and thinking that getting rescued by the lifeguard each time is swimming. At some point, you have to ask him why he hates offense…yet insists on calling offensive plays. Ohio State did score an offensive touchdown against Purdue, which is actually an improvement over last year’s meeting, the 16-3 cure for insomnia. You can’t expect Ohio State to figure out the Iron Curtain that is the Purdue defense, or at least I didn’t. It’s bad when you get excited by complete passes and first downs.

Now fans can say Ohio State only loses to teams that play in BCS bowls AND Purdue. Congratulate Purdue fans; their team beat a ranked team for the first time since Joe Tiller started growing his mustache. In the past 3 years, Ohio State has managed to score 18, 16, and 23 points against Purdue defenses that routinely get abused by MAC offenses (Toledo, Central Michigan, NIU). We were privileged enough to see the proficient Buckeye passing attack in action in 2007 and 2009, with Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor throwing for a combined 3 TDs and 5 INTs , respectively (0 TDs and 0INTs recorded in 2008).

One thing I’ve always questioned is how it’s so easy for opposing teams to move the ball against the Ohio State defense, yet the Ohio State offense has such a hard time moving the ball against the opposing defense. Maybe it’s a skewed perception, but opposing QB’s rarely have a hard time finding open receivers/running backs/tight ends in holes in the zone, unless the defensive line is dominating. Part of it rests on the offensive line. Take this example: You have ONE person as offensive coordinator, the offensive line coach, and in charge of offensive line recruiting AND it happens that the offense is bad, the offensive line is bad, and recruits never live up to expectations. I have a suggestion on where to start looking for the root cause of the problems. Duane Long agrees with me. Coach Bollman’s had his responsibilities of coaching offensive tackles reduced and they were performing at an average level (up from plain bad), up until last week against Purdue (triumphant return to plain bad). Mike Brewster took the stand this past summer for his position coach, saying “It’s not Bollman”, but him and the rest of the highly touted ‘Block O’ have done nothing to change the perception.

The defense wasn’t exposed against Purdue. You can’t expose something that’s not hidden. The tenacity of Kurt Coleman is still a plus, even if referees choose to rewrite the rules on Saturdays. It’s been common knowledge that if Ohio State can’t get pressure on the QB, the he’ll play pitch and catch. The Cover 2 defense is really hard to beat when the receivers don’t have time to find holes in the zone and really easy to beat when they do. Purdue found holes all over the field and while Chris Leak, errr, Joey Elliot, has to get some credit, the offensive line should have a parade in their honor through the streets of West Lafayette. In fact, Jim Tressel should offer each Purdue lineman a scholarship (forget Big Ten transfer rules) and a Corvette because they put on a clinic for the OSU offensive line. Think bodyguards trying to keep teenage girls away from the Jonas Brothers. The OSU defensive front that admittedly wreaks havoc on the OSU offensive front in practice wasn’t able to get close enough to Elliot to have him sign his autograph.

I won’t even discuss Doug Worthington’s exact opposite of ‘Holy Buckeye’, the ‘Holy Sh*t, Are You Serious? That’s How the Game Ends?’ In fact, his coaches should thank Worthington for putting the offense out of their misery.

Why so many people are so quick to lump ‘pro-offense’ in with being ‘anti-Tressel’; the two aren’t mutually exclusive. If they are mutually exclusive, then there is an even deeper problem. I’ll go as far as saying that it’s nearly impossible for Tressel to call bad plays if the plays he calls are executed. Therein lies the disconnect. In general, fans couldn’t care less if the Buckeyes were running Dave the entire way down the field as long as the players were having fun and executing as a team. It comes down to offensive coaching and execution. With Ohio State’s system, you have to believe that some combination of Jim Tressel, Jim Bollman, and Darrell Hazell are responsible for what is considered an offense. While I appreciate Hazell’s attempt at resuscitating the offense, it really needs a defibrillator and a priest. The Buckeyes need someone who can get the offense on the same page as to what’s happening in the game, not just in the same library. The risk of bringing in a real offensive coordinator is that the offense has trouble adapting and production goes down, much like Michigan last year. There’s basically zero risk involved for Ohio State. How can the offense get much worse when you consider 3 games in 2008 without an offensive touchdown and what we’ve seen so far this year?

If Billy Mays was still around, there would be a 2 for 1 deal; hire an offensive coordinator, he’ll throw in a real QB coach for FREE! I won’t accept anything less than a proven offensive coordinator, and the sooner the better. But what I will or won’t accept has absolutely zero affect on what occurs inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.  So above all else,Go Bucks. Let’s make Minnesota pay.

I said in my last post that we were definitely going to beat Purdue and there was no chance of an upset.  But that is just the game that college football is.  The intangibles mean more to college football than any other sport: turnovers, momentum, home/away.

So now many of you are asking: now what?  I read comments saying that its only a matter of time before we as Ohio State fans realize that Tressel is only a glorified version of John Cooper, that he’ll never win the big game (Cooper’s being Michigan, Tressel’s being Top 5 opponents obviously).  Ohio State is no longer the highest rated team from the state of Ohio, and that is something that some of us never dreamed we’d see.  Terrelle Pryor seems to be taking two steps forward and three steps back, week after week.  So that leaves many of us scratching our heads, where does the Ohio State program go from here?

Forward.  As a fanbase, as a team, as a coaching staff.  I know we can still win the Big Ten this year and it could still realistically happen.  And if we do, we’re going to the Rose Bowl where maybe, just maybe we’ll be able to beat a big name team for the first time in a long time.  And if that happens, hallelujah, all is saved.  But in all reality, if this team plays every week like they did last weekend at Purdue, they’re not going to come close to winning the Big Ten.  But there’s still hope for this team.  I know you’re saying that this team has a lot of potential, and a lot of talent, and that a lot of  it is being wasted.  But there’s still a lot of growing left to do on this team.  Hell, Terrelle Pryor is younger than I am.

Some people have said that Pryor should be benched, or maybe he should be moved to wide receiver.  Doing either of those, in my opinion would be a big, big mistake.  Pryor is not the only guy on this team who has not stepped up this year.  There’s the offensive line who hasn’t provided and adequate blocking game in what seems like my lifetime.  There’s a young wide receiver corps from which no go-to guy has really emerged yet.  But I think worst of all is the fact that the stigma that is haunting this team is really starting to get to the players.  Tressel would never say it and neither would any of his players, but I think this Ohio State team is really feeling like they’re in a make-or-break situation in terms of national perception.  So maybe the best thing for this team would be to finish third in the Big Ten.  Try their luck in a bowl game in which they don’t have to play a Top 5 team, where there’s not a large national audience watching them and try to build some momentum for next year.  I feel like this year is starting to become comparable to 2004, an 8-4 year ending with a trip to the Alamo Bowl, but one that culminated with an offensive explosion against both Michigan and Oklahoma State (even without Troy Smith).  What happened the year after that?  A Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.  And the year after that?  A trip (albeit a forgettable one) to the National Championship Game.

So maybe it takes a step back year to provide real progress for the future.  Hell, it worked for the 2004-2006 teams.  And knowing Tressel, he’s not going to let guys quit this year or any year in the near future when things look bleak.  Eventually, he will find a way for this offense to truly click on all cylinders with the guys he has now, the guys he will get in the following years, and without those who are leaving.  He’s done it before, but college football is a team game that can take a year or two to perfect with personnel.  Even I’ll admit that a loss to Purdue last weekend was unacceptable.  But if it helps take this team to a more positive place with a more determined work effort, then it was a good loss.

If you remember correctly, last week I said that we’d learn a lot about the Buckeyes next two opponents, Purdue and Minnesota, because the two were to play each other that Saturday.  So, what did we learn?

Purdue: Pretty much…this is a bad team.  Now 1-5 with no hope of becoming bowl eligible this year, the Boilers will probably find themselves looking up from the bottom of the Big Ten standings come years end.  I don’t really know what else to say about this team; they do still like to throw the ball and did so to the tune of 299 passing yards last week.  But then again, there were also two interceptions by Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott.  Also, there is still some quick offensive production available as evidenced by the fact that Purdue jumped out to a 10-0 1st quarter lead last week…but then there’s the defense which took that 10-0 score and managed to give up 28 points to the Gophers over the next three (in reality, two) quarters.  So is there anything to worry about this weekend’s game?  Nah,  Elliott will be facing off against one of the best secondaries he’s seen all year and the pressure that the defensive line is going to put on him will probably end with him throwing up to 4 INTs.

Minnesota: I think this team is a lot better than a lot of people give them credit for.  Granted, every bit of analysis I may have to offer about them may be skewed by the fact that Purdue is not a good football team, but there are still some things this team can do right…and wrong.  Minnesota, unlike Purdue, favors the ground game; and it showed last week as they racked up 207 yards on 44 carries last week.  The D will have to show up in a major way in two weeks in order to limit this ground game.  For as good as the gophers are at running the ball, they aren’t that great at throwing it.  Adam Weber threw for just 75 yards last week with two interceptions and only five completions.  Derek Anderson-esque numbers.  But the win did allow Minnesota to run their record to 4-2 and they have a real good shot to make a decent bowl game.  Ohio State’s biggest advantage in this game might be the fact that it will take place in Ohio Stadium.  I feel like Minnesota is looking for a marquee win to mark the opening season of it’s new outdoor stadium, but that won’t be us.  Will Ohio State win this game?  Yes.  But it could be a lot closer than you think.

Intro: Work and life circumstances have conspired against these past two weeks and kept me from doing any thing else on time.  As a result, the preview is only getting up now.  It does not help that this is Indiana week and the anticipated threat level is green.

Factoids: Ohio State has won 15 straight Big Ten road games, 2 short of the all time league record.  The last loss was the 17-10 loss at Penn State in 2005. Michigan owns the record of 17 straight road wins from 1988-1992 … Ohio State has won 14 straight over the Hoosiers dating to 1988 … The Buckeyes have back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1996 … Indiana hasn’t been within single digits of Buckeyes since 1993, a span of 12 games … Hoosiers run defense ranks second in the Big Ten, trailing only Penn State, at 94.2 yards per game.

What the Internut is saying:

• Mr. Sassy Ballot gives you some players to watch tonight.
• Indiana has a lot of work to do if they are going change history tonight.
• The Crimson Quarry gives us a brief look at tonight’s matchup.
• Today is the biggest day in Big Ten Network history.  If they say so.
• Other, more punctual, blogs have previews: 11W, WWAHT, O-Zone

Weekly rant: It may come as surprise to you, but I tend to think highly of Ohio State’s football program.  And that goes for the entire program - the team, coaches, and stadium.  Especially Ohio Stadium.  The problem is, it does not appear that it is getting the respect it deserves.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places.  So, why is the field painted like a high school stadium (or Indiana’s Memorial Stadium)?  I dislike the synthograss, but I can live with it.  But why not paint the plastic so that it looks good?  Like Florida State, with color up to the 25-yard lines?  If it is good enough for the Rose Bowl, it should be good enough for Ohio Stadium. And, is it true that there is no gray on the field because it cost extra?  So all we get is red, white, and black trim?  Ick.  Ohio State athletics generate revenue in excess of $100M.  Take a little extra and give the field a paint job worthy of the best college football stadium in the country and a building on the NRHP.  I will save the horrific scoreboard announcing for another week.  [/rant]

Ohio State offense v. Indiana defense: Don’t be fooled.  The Hoosiers are currently 4th in the league in total defense, but their average is actually closer to the 10th place team than the first place team.  While it is certainly possible that Indiana is better than usual, they didn’t exactly crush their way through a horrendous non-conference schedule.  They struggled in each game against Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, and Akron.  Pryor should have no problem throwing against an IU defense that gave up 4 pass plays of 25+ yards last week (that is half of Michigan’s season total).  If the receivers are as available as the statistics suggest, Saine should have plenty of room to roam.  If he gets 17 or more carries, he will be the first Ohio State running back to gain 100 yards rushing this season (I cannot believe I typed that before week 5!).  Indiana did allow four scoring drives of 60 yards or more last week.

Indiana offense v. Ohio State defense: The Hoosiers are getting a lot of credit because of their close, high-scoring loss to Michigan but things were not good before that game.  The Hoosiers scored on 7 of their 14 possessions last weekend with another ending in a missed FG. Not bad, but there were too many field goals mixed in.  In fact, Indiana is last in red zone touchdown percentage.

IU has a semi-veteran offensive line, but Chappell will still get tons of pressure all night.  Even without Kurt Coleman, Ohio State’s nickel package will be more than enough to slow down Indiana’s spread attack.  Ohrian Johnson has been elevated to the nickel back although do not be surprised if you see 3 cornerbacks - Chekwa, Torrence, Amos - in there at the same time.

(Quick) Key matchups: Adams & Shugarts & Miller v. Jammie Kirlew & Greg Middleton.   I am thinking the same thing you are: how good could Indiana’s DEs be?  Well, these two are supposed to be decent and this is the first conference road game for Ohio State’s first-time starters.

Why Ohio State will win: Chappell is statue in the backfield and redshirt freshman Darius Willis is not keeping Heacock and Fickell awake at night. Ohio State will get an early lead and force the Hoosiers to throw more often.  Even down a defensive captain, that should be a task the Buckeye can handle.

“Have to have it” factor: 5 out of 10.  It only gets half up because I really want the all-time road wins records, which is totally achievable with Purdue up next.

Final thought: If you are looking for an fun and easy football road trip, Bloomington is your destination.  The drive is easy, the likelihood of a win is high, there is a small percentage of asshole fans, and the girls are generally regarded as high caliber. Really, it is a no brainer.

We are at the quarter pole of the 2009 season and, while the Buckeyes are not setting a record pace, the Buckeyes are not far off the lead.   We have learned a little, but there is a long way to go.

What are the odds the defense blanks Indiana for their third shutout in a row?  Have the Buckeyes ever done that?

Poe McKnoe: They either score points or they don’t, so I’m going 50-50.  Indiana hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown against Ohio State since 2004.  That’s 5 years (even though they aren’t on the schedule every year).  They’ve put up 3 field goals and an INT return for a TD in 2005 and 2006.  I, for one, do not respect IU’s offense and expect them to get blown up in the trenches sending Ben Chappell into a tailspin.  They will probably throw a trick in there, capitalize on a Pryor turnover, or have 1 good drive and come out with 10 points.

Massey: Not good, imagine. The last time the Buckeyes had three consecutive shutouts was in 1973, when it blanked Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan State.  Honestly, I could not care less if they hold the Hoosiers scoreless.  In fact, when Ohio State is involved with accomplishments like that they only serve as self-perpetuating prophecies for Big Ten haters.  ”The Big Ten totally sucks, bra!  OSU has shut out 3 straight and we know they suck!  Let’s watch Cincinnati,” resident B10 hater says as he opens another Natty Light.

Despite some big plays against Michigan, Indiana has not been an offensive juggernaut so far.  That was actually the first game where they amassed 400 or more yards, and their competition has not been stiff.  They will most likely score, but I am not sure I want to predict an offensive touchdown.

After four games, which is better: Ohio State’s running or passing game? Has either met your expectations?

P: I’m still waiting for OSU to rush for 200 and pass for 250 each game, per Tressel’s ‘goals’.  The passing game has been better than the rushing game, and that’s scary.  Terrelle Pryor doesn’t look like a running QB and doesn’t look like a passing QB, but some unbalanced combo of both.  Hopefully the recent ‘adaptations’ of the offense will help move the ball.  Posey and Pryor have yet to have a real connections and there’s a lot of hands not getting balls.  Boom has been even less effective, rushing for 3.xxx yards per rush.  Now he’s hurt, and Saine looks strong, but the remaining backs are Jordan Hall and Jemil Martin.  Let’s hope the passing game explodes.

M: If either one has impressed someone, they have been watching highlights from 1995.  I think the passing game is closer than the rushing game.  I know that sounds weird considering some of Pryor’s decisions but he has made some throws that I did not think we would see this season.  He still does not  trust himself all the time and I do not always think he is put in the best position, but there have been times where I see the potential for a Troy Smith epiphany.  I have yet to see anything from Herron or Saine that makes me excited or that would make a defensive coordinator worry.  The heavy dose of the read-option looked promising but I heard Tressel say that was more a reaction to Illinois than an actual game plan (ugh).  I may feel differently if Pryor was allowed to run more than 10 times per game, but he isn’t and he never will be.

Now that you have had a chance to watch everyone play, what is the most difficult remaining game on Ohio State’s schedule?

M: Michigan.  Seriously.  They seem to be the only Big Ten team not afraid to score points.  Their defense looks bad, because it is, but I expect an inspired performance from them on November 21.  The Game has taken a few years off but it is going to get back on track sooner rather than later.  Penn State appears to be thin on offense and another loss before OSU visits would confirm our suspicions.  Iowa looked good but you know they will crumble against the Buckeyes.  If they are undefeated on November 14, I hear the pundits saying “This was the game we were hoping for in 2002!”  No, it’s not.  That team had NFL caliber players on offense.  Michigan is the only team that appears capable of coming up with points when they need them.

P: Iowa.  I’ll buy the hype.  Michigan is #2.  Michigan plays two hand tap on defense, but they can score on offense.  Iowa beat an overrated Penn State team and now the Big Ten Network has turned on the hype, especially since they were the only Big Ten team to win a bowl game last year (and an SEC team to boot, woooweee).  Iowa will probably drop their next game, because they are Iowa.  The whole Big Ten is underwhelming, and while OSU may drop a game, can I say their bowl game?

Herron is out against Indiana and Saine will get the start.  Do you think Boom will regain his starting spot?

P: Unless Saine goes all Lydell Ross against IU (check it, Ross’ only good game), I fully expect that the order of things won’t change.  And by order, I mean that they’ll keep splitting carries 45-45 with Jordan Hall taking the rest.  There’s also no plan to redshirt Jamaal Berry, which means he doesn’t want to be redshirted and wants to be in the NFL Draft in 2011.  It’s a running back by committee and it’s effective.

M: God, I hope so.  Herron runs to contact.  I don’t care if it is a defender, an Ohio State blocker, or a downs -marker.  He will run directly towards it.  I simply cannot figure it out.  My any measure, Saine has been the better tailback this season.  He looked far better last week despite Herron’s two scores.  I don’t have a horse in this race, either.  I just want one of them to step up and play like an Ohio State starting running back.

This is getting up late as usual. If I did not have to work for a living so I can eat, heat, and drive (to that job of all places) blogging would be a lot easier. Alas, I can assure you I wrote the game vignettes in chronological order.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

Colorado v. West Virginia
7:30pm, ESPN
Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews

Is there any team that needs a win more than Colorado? Getting that much needed win will not be easy at West Virginia as a 16-point underdog. This is a slightly disappointing penultimate weekend tilt. The worst of the season, probably. VT/ECU on 11/5 is bad, too. Anyway, Noel Devine is a top 15 running back but he seems to have lost the shine he had when he showed up as the Deion Sanders project. Against the Colorado rush defense, he should leap back into some CFB fans consciousness.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Pittsburgh v. Louisville
8:00PM, ESPN2
Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore

Has any team risen and fallen faster than Lousiville? From 2000-2006, the Cardinals went 70-20 and was a top 10 program in terms of winning percentage. Likewise, has a rising star gone black hole as suddenly as Steve Kragthorpe? Of course, he was only 29-22 while coaching Tulsa and won only a single Conference USA title so maybe he should have been a lessor target. Alas, fans everyone have it in for him. Louisville has not defeated a D-I team yet this season and it is doubtful they will get it on Friday.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Can anyone tell me why College Gameday is in Boston this weekend for the Florida State v. Boston College game? Sure, Boston is a top-5 city but BC recently gained approximately half a field in one game and FSU had a total meltdown last week. Thankfully, there is a reason and very good one too boot.

ESPN’s College GameDay has been all over the country since they took their show on the road, literally, in 1993. Until this coming weekend, though, the show had only been in Boston once, parachuting into Chestnut Hill in 2005 for Boston College’s first ACC game.

The reasoning for going to a matchup of two unranked teams in a town where college football may be the fourth or fifth passion? Well, at least on its surface, it likely has something to do with the story of Mark Herzlich, the BC linebacker who was 2008’s ACC Defensive Player of the Year and diagnosed with cancer in March.

However, at the risk of sounding crass: Does this really require moving the entire production to Boston? ESPN’s offices, it is impossible to forget, are in Bristol, Connecticut, and their crews are more than capable of driving to Chestnut Hill or Pennsylvania, where Herzlich may be with his family, and putting together a moving piece with or without GameDay in town.

Nuf said.

Michigan v. Michigan State
12:00pm, BTN
Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson

I am actually excited about this game. Why, you ask. Because it is the only reasonable game starting at noon and I do not have the fortunate task of attending a home Ohio State game. Moreover, the Buckeyes kick off at night so I get to watch a full two games before I have to devote all of my energy to pounding the Hoosiers in submission. What better to start with than a semi-major rivalry game where at least one team cheats every time?

Wisconsin v. Minnesota
12:00pm, ESPN
Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman

These teams are 2-0 in the Big Ten and 7-1 overall. So, why don’t I respect either one? Each team had to go to overtime to defeat an overmatched opponent, and each team won their conference opener in a relatively high-scoring, defense-omitting game. I promise that I will take the winner of this game seriously … until they get revert back to their same ol’ selves.

Let’s talk about coverage maps. While they are not really important for the afternoon slot, they become very important later on, kinda. I never really articulated this before, but I want every Ohio State game to start at noon. That way I can watch the marquee SEC matchup or the big B12 battle at 3:30pm. This weekend, the Buckeyes get slotted in the weirdo 7:00pm zone. That is pizza pick up time most weekends.

(4)Louisiana State v. (18)Georgia
3:30pm, CBS
Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson

This will be an entertaining game (read: main game). No questions asked. They may be 3-1 but they have played the most compelling schedule to date. Even their loss to Oklahoma State was fun. When you combine that with LSU’s lack of assertive play you get a classic SEC battle in the teens.

(15)Penn State v. Illinois
3:30pm, ABC/ESPN2
Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox

It is difficult to make an argument for watching this game and I actually picked Illinois and Penn State to finish second and third, respectively in the Big Ten. Why I ever bet on Ronnie is beyond me. Illinois is 0-1 in the league but there are virtually no signs of life as the Illini appear in capable of getting the ball to Benn. They say he is a 1st round pick but you would never know it.

Washington v. Notre Dame
3:30pm, NBC
Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan

I simply cannot recommend this as the #1 flip game because I hate ND and I need to see them lose. They have won two straight games because Big Ten teams (and coaches) have totally blown it. I don’t want to talk about it. Just know that the Huskies will win.

(9)Ohio State v. Indiana
7:00pm, BTN
Craig Coshun, Glen Mason, Rebecca Haarlow

Ohio State football is a blessing at any time of day but I would prefer this game be the nooner. There are three good games on opposite this one but you will not see a down of them if you are like me. You will watch every brutal head shot delivered by the Ohio State defense and curse Bollman’s name every time the Buckeyes go 3-and-out. Indiana put up a fight last weekend but for all of their improvements, Michigan’s defense is still sorry.

Auburn v. Tennessee
7:45pm, ESPN
Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews

This is a worthy flip game and not just for the 15 minutes before the nightcaps start Auburn did something incredibly novel, they hired an offensive coordinator in an effort to gain more yards and score more points. How has that worked out for them? They are averaging 525 yards/game and 45 points/game. During a commercial after Thoma has punted one out of the stadium, flip over and watch what a little coaching can do.

(7)USC v. (24)California
8:00pm, ABC
Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham

Boy, the shine really came off this one. This was a Top 10 matchup until California was pantsed by Oregon. So, in true Pac 10 fashion the Bears will win and totally muddy the waters. Is that good for Ohio State? Is it wrong that I want to play USC in the Rose Bowl this season?

(8)Oklahoma v. (17)Miami
8:00pm, ABC
Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters

Another mega matchup botched by a rising team who potentially looked ahead. Still, I am almost 100-percent certain Miami is going to win. Not because they are better, not because they are at home, and not because Bradford is out. Just because.