Conference call

Ohio State vs. Marshall, September 11 Despite losing its opener against Troy, the Herd could be a scary team for the Buckeyes, and here's why: Inexperienced teams don't get the breaks. The Buckeyes had a magical run in 2002 and '03, winning 25 games, two Fiesta Bowls and a national championship. Though they got the job done with clutch play, tough defense and fantastic special teams, they earned a reputation for being on the right side of the nail-biters, going 13-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer. There was the miraculous fourth-down touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins to beat Purdue in 2002. There was the N.C. State coaching staff running Philip Rivers into the line over and over again in 2003, to no avail. And there were several times when opponents missed field goals and blew chances to win. Yes, good teams make their own breaks, but in college football, good fortune and nice timing usually go hand-in-hand with experienced players and a steady quarterback. The 2004 Buckeyes have to do some major retooling on both sides of the ball and must prove there's life after quarterback Craig Krenzel. Plenty of Marshall's players remember what it's like to beat a big boy: Kansas State in Manhattan last season.

Utah at Utah State, September 18 Motivation can be a bigger factor than you think. Sometimes, players at lesser programs have chips on their shoulders and want to show a bigger school exactly what they're made of. Case in point: Utah State's players would love nothing more than to put a crimp in instate rival Utah's big plans this season after losing to the Utes, 40-20, in last year's season opener. On paper, the Aggies don't have a prayer against the Utes, but Utah State will be pumped up to beat a top 25 team and catch coach Urban Meyer's boys at the perfect time. Utah starts out the season against Texas A&M and at Arizona. With the Utes beginning the Mountain West schedule the week after they face the Aggies, Utah could be due for a letdown.

California at Southern Miss, September 25 Jeff Tedford's California club has become the fashionable Pac-10 team to love (Arizona State is so 2003), but Southern Miss doesn't care what's in style. Though the Bears have experience, explosiveness and outstanding talent on both sides of the ball, they also play five of their first seven games on the road. With Pac-10 showdowns at Oregon State and at Southern California in the two weeks after the Bears face the Eagles, it will be hard for California not to look ahead when it travels to Hattiesburg to play Southern Miss. The Eagles boast that they'll play anyone, anywhere, at any time--and they will want payback after getting stomped, 34-2, last season in Berkeley.

TSN's 12.5 Half the size, twice the value

Rk. Team           W-L  Next up                  TV (all times Eastern)

1. Georgia         1-0  at South Carolina, 9/11  5:30 p.m., ESPN

Everybody should be lucky enough to have the Bulldogs' problems at
running back.

2. USC             1-0  Colorado State, 9/11     8 p.m., ABC (regional)

For his next trick, Reggie Bush will score a touchdown while playing
the tuba.

3. Oklahoma        1-0  Houston, 9/11            7 p.m., TBS

The best way to keep Jason White in one piece: Keep that rushing attack
in high gear.

4. Florida State   0-0  at Miami, 9/10           8 p.m., ABC

Frances, shmances--the bottom line is Monday came and went without a
'Noles loss to Miami.

5. Ohio State      1-0  Marshall, 9/11           3:30 p.m., ABC
                                                 (regional)

Is Justin Zwick the man at QB, or will he have to share the ball all
season with Troy Smith?

6. Miami           0-0  Florida State, 9/10      8 p.m., ABC

The Canes are salivating over their belated crack at a sixth straight
beatdown of FSU.

7. Texas           1-0  at Arkansas, 9/11        8:45 p.m., ESPN

It's one thing to annihilate North Texas, quite another to score some
payback against Arkie.

8. LSU             1-0  Arkansas State, 9/11     None

Warning: Word on the street is Arkie State's kicker is money on PATs.

9. Michigan        1-0  at Notre Dame, 9/11      2:30 p.m., NBC

Don't kid yourselves, Wolverines fans--this is a quarterback
controversy.

10. California     1-0  New Mexico State, 9/11   None

I'm a Ted Head, he's a Ted Head, she's a Ted Head ... wouldn't you like
to be a Ted Head, too?

11. Virginia       1-0  North Carolina, 9/11     3:30 p.m., ABC
                                                 (regional)

The Cavs are ready to lie in the ACC weeds until October if they
have to.

12. West Virginia  1-0  at Central Florida,      None
                        9/11

Gimme a Kay! Gimme a Jay! Now hyphenate it! What's it spell? Early
Heisman contended!

12.5 The uprights

They dominated Oregon State and Northwestern in a couple of prime-time classics.

Top 5 'little guys'

1. Utah (1-0) 2. Louisville (1-0) 3. Boise State (1-0) 4. TCU (1-0) 5. Southern Miss (0-0)

Top 5 story lines

1. Sly Croom 2. Big Ten instant replay 3. Frances' delay of games 4. LSU gets ridiculously lucky 5. Nebraska goes aerial