OSU enters the game with two tune-ups against Youngstown State and Ohio, while USC took on more of a challenge with a game against UVA and then a bye week before OSU comes to town.

I've been looking forward to this game since I stood in Darrell Royal Stadium post-game singing the Ohio State fight song and celebrating victory. I couldn't wait to do that in the Coliseum.

In order to get that chance the following things will determine the game:

1) In mop up roles in the previous two games, how much will Terrelle Pryor be used to gain experience for this game? Will he be used at all?

2) Moala, Maualuga, Cushing, Mays. I'm just starting to study what USC's defense has done the past two seasons and it already scares me. This team will uncharacteristically live and die by its defense this season. Does Boeckman get shaky feet like he did the final few games of last season against a very high caliber D?

3) Ohio State hasn't lost a non-conference, regular season road game since 2001 against UCLA, in LA. While that omen I don't like, I do like the fact that this group of 10 starting seniors and 18 returning starters has more experience and more wins (33-5 the last three seasons) than any other group in the country other than their opponents (USC is 34-5 the past three seasons).

Unfortunately that experience has often been losing in a big way in the Championship game, but it is experience.

I'm giddy for this game.

Week of September 18-20—

The only reason I’d watch this game is if my other option is Oprah: Northeastern at Syracuse. Remember when Syracuse was good and Philly fans didn’t hate Donovan McNabb yet?

Scheduled game that makes Bret Bielema wish he’d of thought of that: UMass at Texas Tech. Although I must say, Bielema would never knowingly agree to play a D-IAA playoff team, which UMass was last year.

The Appetizers:

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