InSpin

Nittany Lions -2 vs. Buckeyes

Ohio State has arrived. The team has struggled through many of their contests this year and seemed listless in most of them. This all changed last week when the Buckeyes traveled north to meet the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans were in a three way tie with Ohio State and Penn State and any hopes they had at being in a two-way tie for or sole possession of first place was sunk about midway through the first quarter. Ohio State (7-1, 4-0) played their most complete game of the year and dominated in every aspect of the game as they stomped Michigan State 45-7 in East Lansing.

Over in Happy Valley at roughly the same time, a similar story was developing. Not that Penn State (8-0, 4-0) was playing their first complete game of the year; they have had many of those, but that they took their frustrations out on an opponent. This time it was the Michigan Wolverines who they had not beaten since 1996. Michigan stormed out to a 17-7 lead and it seemed the Wolverines were going to once again come in as an inferior opponent and destroy another Penn State season. Coach Joe Paterno stated before the game that Michigan was not in their heads, but it appeared early on that they were firmly in the Nittany Lions heads. Penn State turned on the burners in the second half and did not allow Michigan to score as they lit up the score board for 39 straight points on way to a 46-17 rout.

This game is a matchup of the top Big Ten teams and the number three and nine teams in the nation will go along way in clearing up the Big Ten picture as well as the national title picture. While Penn State put a stop to one streak by finally beating Michigan, they must buck a couple of other trends to keep their undefeated season going. The Nittany Lions have not won a road game against a top ten team in ten tries. In addition, Penn State must win in Columbus for the first time since 1978.

For the Lions to win, Daryll Clark, an Ohio native, must be his best. He has been most of the season as he is the conference's second-highest rated passer and has tossed and ran for 19 touchdowns. Clark has done a stellar job, but it is a possibility he could be riding the pine if it were not for Ohio State's signal caller.  Chances are if Pennsylvania's own Terrelle Pryor had chosen Penn State over Ohio State, he would be the starting quarterback in Happy Value, much like he is in Columbus.

Pryor had his best game of his young career last Saturday in East Lansing. Coach Jim Tressel had Pryor on a short leash because of his recent struggles, but he appeared to solidify the starting position with 116 yards through the air, 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown pass.

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Cougars -29 1/2 vs. Aggies

The BYU Cougars are looking good! At 4-0, BYU is coming into their match up against Utah State with boat full of confidence and all the momentum they need to improve to 5-0. It may quite literally take a miracle for Utah State to even get the slightest chance of making this a competitive game.

It has been seven years since the Cougars have cracked the nation's top ten list, but they finally got back sitting comfortably at #7. Not only have Cougars gotten back in the elusive top ten in the country, but they are also being involved in talks of a possible BCS championship run.

As unpredictable as college football can be there are almost never guaranteed victories no matter what the odds, the USC Trojans learned that the hard way in last week's embarrassing loss to Oregon State. With that being said, Utah State will have their opportunity to get on top of the Cougars, but if they miss their window, BYU's offense will tear them apart.

Look for Cougars' quarterback and Heisman hopeful Max Hall to have a huge game through the air as BYU cruises to an easy victory over the Aggies.

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