Stephen Hayward
sjh001@marietta.edu

For the first time in three years, all 65 first place votes went to one team, the Ohio State Buckeyes. They have been in the No. 1 position all season, but this is the first time all voters gave them their top vote.

The Buckeyes held on for a win against the fighting Illini 17-10 to remain undefeated. Of course, the Illinois team coached by former Florida coach Ron Zook has dropped its last 17 games versus ranked opponents. The game against Northwestern (2-7), who haven’t been playing terribly; staying close with Michigan ( in a 17-3 loss); and beating Iowa (21-7), could be another test for an OSU team that has the Wolverines of Michigan on their radar.

The Nov. 18 game between the Buckeyes and the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines will be one of the biggest draws of the College Football Season. The game will be a match-up of probable undefeated teams, with major National Championship implications. If Michigan wins, they would have a very good case to take the top ranking from the Buckeyes. A loss to Michigan would bring up strange similarities to the last team to be named unanimous No. 1 in AP Poll, that team being the 2003 Oklahoma Sooners, who gained the distinction and then lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game the following week.

Therefore, everyone is looking ahead to the National Championship Game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Arizona, in which the top two team in the nation will battle for the championship crown. Besides front-runners Ohio State and Michigan, expect Louisville, Texas and Florida, and maybe Rutgers (if they can run the table and some SEC teams get another loss). Louisville could have an excellent argument to play in the Title Game, as they have a legit shot at going undefeated, while either the Buckeyes or the Wolverines will have one loss on the season. Texas has an outside shot but has been moving up the standings in recent weeks. The University of Florida Gators may even finish the year 2 or 3 depending on what Louisville does. Ideally, two undefeated teams will play for the National Championship, those teams being the winner of the Michigan vs. OSU game and Louisville (if they can defeat a very good Rutgers team). Thus three games will be key in deciding (or helping the BCS decide) the teams worthy of playing the Championship in January. Game one, the tilt between Michigan and Ohio State, as two undefeated teams enter and only one will leave. Game two, the Nov. 9 game between (3) Louisville and ( 15) Rutgers, the battle of those “other” undefeated teams. And the third game that could have big implications, (8) California versus (7) USC, an all California match up, a win for California could put them in the top 5 at least. Florida, Texas, Auburn, and Wisconsin should finish the regular season with only one loss. Louisville could end the season with zero losses or one, depending on how they play Rutgers. Rutgers could go undefeated, or lose to Louisville and possibly West Virginia. Ohio State will go undefeated or have an 11-1 year. The Michigan Wolverines could pull off the upset over the Buckeyes and go 12-0. The other possible undefeated team in college football this season could be the one that plays their home games on the blue turf, as the Boise State Broncos could go 12-0. Anyone see a Boise State versus Michigan BCS Championship game? Not very likely, but stranger things have happened, and both teams could go undefeated.

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