This is the week..........

[Spence]

Where the rubber meets the road. Lots of good games this week Notre Dame-Michigan, Auburn-LSU, Louisville -Miami among others. We should have a pretty good idea where the cream lies after this weekend. This weekend should do a lot to separate the top 10 from the rest of the pack.

[openSkies]

Don't forget Va Tech vs Duke!

I mean, c'mon, if that isn't a game that will seperate the Top 10's from each other, what is!?

Haha, man, I'm so tired of playing lame opponents.

[Spence]

You guys have Georgia Tech and BC coming up in a couple weeks. Not many testing games early, though.

[bama_girl]

just be thankin your lucky stars you ain't gotta face duke AND florida international!!!

i'm a bundle of nerves!!!!

[mountainman]

It's an interesting week for the Big East Conference:

West Virginia -vs- Maryland
Connecticut -vs- Wake Forrest
Syracuse -vs- Illinois
Cincinnati -vs- Ohio State
Pittsburgh -vs- Michigan State
South Florida -vs- UCF
Louisville -vs- Miami
Rutgers -vs- Ohio

Pretty good measuring stick for the conference as a whole.

[Eric]

It's an interesting week for the Big East Conference:

West Virginia -vs- Maryland
Connecticut -vs- Wake Forrest
Syracuse -vs- Illinois
Cincinnati -vs- Ohio State
Pittsburgh -vs- Michigan State
South Florida -vs- UCF
Louisville -vs- Miami
Rutgers -vs- Ohio

Pretty good measuring stick for the conference as a whole.

I'll say the Big East goes 4-4 this week. They've got some tough games this time around.

I really believe the Big East conference as a whole is ranked properly while underrated.

[Dossenator]

I can't wait for the Aubun vs. LSU game. I think this is the game of the week. I personally am rooting for LSU....definetely not because I am a fan. I always look at these situations on how they can help the Hogs. Both teams are in the SEC West with Arkansas...so I am rooting for LSU because the Hogs get them in Arkansas at the end of the season....in what is always a hard fought game and a winable game for Ark. I do not think the Hogs can go into Auburn this year and beat them. Go LSU. I am also rooting against Bama, Ole Miss, and Miss State this week....and of course rooting for the Hogs at Vandy.

[Spence]

I think Auburn - LSU is the game of the week also. Great matchup with BCS implications.

MM, not much worry about the B-10 games. I think Ohio State beats Cincy, but the B-10 isn't very good this year. Illinois may be the worse team in division 1-A. Michigan State is a up and down team. Ohio State really needs Texas to win out, if they want to do well with the computers because the B-10 will hurt them this year.

[Eric]

I think Auburn wins but I picked LSU, just in case

[Derek]

I picked Auburn in a close one.

[mountainman]

Unless Auburn has really been sandbagging, I think they don't have the run D they need to stop LSU. In both games, Auburn's D has looked a little shaky compared to last year. Miss. St. stopped K. Irons, but not good enough to controll the Auburn passing game. I think LSU wins.

I watched part of that game rolltide and from what I saw the Auburn offensive line was having trouble getting the Mississippi State defense blocked ....... the Bulldogs were committing to stop the run though.

Does Auburn have a veteran offensive line or are those guys kinda' inexperienced?

By the way, Irons is a great back.

[Spence]

I picked Auburn in a close one.

I think this will be a statement game for LSU.

[Derek]

I picked Auburn in a close one.

I think this will be a statement game for LSU.

I hope Auburn loses, but Im going for points and wins.

[Spence]

Didn't UC almost beat Ohio State the year that OSU won the NC? Seems to me that UC dropped two winning TD passes on their last possesion. Spence would know more about than I. However, this year's UC team does not seem to be on the same level as that year's UC team. They had the really good QB with the funny name then, but they seem to be having problems at that position this season and do not stand a chance in Columbus in my opionion. Pitt beating Michigan State would be a nice feather the BE's cap, also.

UC did take us to the mat in '02. Actually several teams took us to the mat that year. We were a no offense team with an all world defense. It was a very nerve racking year to be a Buckeye. It ended well, though.

It is a compliment when teams you are playing say they think they will "cover the spread". It means you have arrived when the homers are predicting they can cover the spread.

UC doesn't stand a huge chance against Ohio State this week, but here are a few things to remember.

1. Mark Dantonio built Ohio State's current defensive philosophy. It was his baby and he knows it very well.

2. Tress and Dantonio are very good friends. Tressel won't embarrass Dantonio. Tressel called Cincy to recommend coach Dantonio and has helped him recruit some players that couldn't get in to Ohio State to Cincinnati.

Look for Ohio State to run the ball and try to grind the game out. Troy Smith and Ted Ginn will get their numbers because of the heisman thing, but Tressel won't unleash the dogs on him. The Spread is thirty and if Ohio State covers, they will have to do it with players way down on the depth chart.

[billybud]

You really can't count anyone "out"...even a non competitive Cincinnati...

Like Troy did to FSU this year..and did in 2004, taking a 10 win LSU deep into the 4th...(LSU won by 4 points put up in the final two minutes), any team can be a problem.