• I'm still convinced that Tennessee is looking at a 7 win season, at best. After the Vols downed Ohio U by 11, you could feel the uneasiness about this team. This wasn't the performance that Tennessee needed, especially after their showing against Florida. I just don't think that Jonathon Crompton can lead this team to victory in a close game, so the Vols will have to lean on their running game and their defense (without Nick Reveiz, sadly). I expect wins against Memphis, Vandy, and Kentucky, but outside of those opponents, I have no idea where the other wins will come from. The Vols have a pretty rough schedule in the next 4 weeks (Auburn, Georgia, at Alabama, South Carolina). Tennessee needs to win 2 of those 4 games.
  
• Ohio State's defense is really stepping up. The defense racked up another shutout, this time against Illinois. Weaknesses exist (see Chimdi Chekwa), but this unit is anchored by a very deep and talented defensive line, which will continue to give their opponents fits. Let's hope that their performance against Navy is in the rear-view mirror.
• Terrelle Pryor is still overrated and continues to look lost at times. I'm hoping that by the time November arrives, he'll have found his comfort zone because he's not there yet. TP still seems to be struggling with the zone-read and his willingness to either run or pass. Please, Terrelle, trust your first instinct.
  
• After seeing more "major upsets," the AP poll and coaches poll should not be released until week 1 of the BCS rankings, period. These "preseason" rankings mean nothing until we can get a real feel for the teams who stand out week in and week out.
  
• Florida and Alabama appear to be head and shoulders above everyone else right now. Texas is a close second. Beyond those three teams, it's a crap shoot. I do know one thing though - Boise State is NOT the #5 team in the country.
  
• After watching Cal and Miami get destroyed in the afternoon, Penn State laid a golden egg against Iowa. After being torched by a beautiful 79-yard TD pass on Penn State's first offensive play, the Iowa defense completely shutdown the Penn State offense. Turnovers were definitely a factor, but Daryll Clark looked very uncomfortable, especially when the Hawkeyes put a little bit of pressure on him. Buckeye fans are hoping for a similar outcome in Happy Valley this November.
  
• Did I mention that Notre Dame is still overrated? This team could easily be 1-3, if not for an overthrown Michigan State receiver in the end zone (the Spartans turned the ball over on the next play) and a timeout called by Purdue (which gave ND the opportunity to run an extra play inside the 5 - the Irish scored on that extra play).
  
• The Pac-10 title race is going to be a total crap shoot, just like the annual ACC division race. Your early conference leader - Stanford (2-0). The only undefeated team left - UCLA (3-0, although they haven't played a conference game yet). 
• Sleepers - Cincinnati, South Carolina, Kansas, Iowa
  
• Overrated - Notre Dame, LSU, Ole Miss, Boise State, Penn State
  
• Wait-and-See - TCU, South Florida

• Ohio State hasn't been destroyed in the "big game" in the last 3 tries, which is a welcome change from the previous 3. That is a step in the right direction, but it still hurts to think that if one or 2 plays had gone a different way in these 3 games (Penn State, Texas, USC), the result would have been different. Could-a, would-a, should-a...
• Ohio State's defense is a lot better than most thought they would be, especially after their performance against Navy. However, just like Navy, they couldn't stop USC in short yardage situations (with the exception of this play). Personally, I would love to see Jim Tressel pull a Pete Carroll, put 3-4 wide receivers on the field on 3rd and short, and either run a QB sneak or a dive play.
  
• Ohio State's offensive line was great in pass protection most of the night, which was a welcome sight. Run blocking, not so much (give credit to USC's run defense).
• Terrelle Pryor took a major step backwards in his development. Again, credit USC's defense for some of that, but TP still has a lot of work to do.
• Matt Barkley looked poised on two drives, but I'm not buying into the hype just yet. On the final drive, the 3rd down catch by McKnight was a dink-and-dunk pass, which is designed to get a young QB (like Barkley) in a comfortable rhythm. I didn't see a lot of great throws or reads by Barkley, but again, he did what he needed to do to get the win (just like Penn State's Pat Devlin against OSU last year).
  
• Special teams play was great as usual. With the exception of USC's opening drive starting at the OSU 2 (after the interception return), USC's best starting field position was their own 26. That's another great stat.
• On USC's only other drive of the 4th quarter, with the Trojan punter standing on the goal line, Grant Schwartz whiffed on an "easy" punt block attempt (simply overran it) with OSU leading, 15-10. Fortunately, he did what he is trained to do - don't dive into the punter - which would have resulted in a first down due to the whiff. OSU failed to score on the ensuing drive (TP sacked on 3rd down). 

"We couldn't have been treated any better in Columbus. It was amazing how many times we were stopped and thanked for our service. Everywhere we went, people wanted to talk to us. Many of my friends were telling me that they now have to change their view of Ohio State. Many who didn't like them before will now root for them. It was a really cool experience."  - Donald Jack, USNA ‘91