Separation Saturday

Wow. What an amazing day of college football. It's days like these that remind us why we love the game. And why we watch it and follow it so intently.

Ohio State had a very good showing. They struggled in the first half of a classic trap game coming off the high of last week, but the second half showed, once again, that they are the #1 team in the country. That, coupled with M*ch*g*n's drubbing of Notre Dame (which made me sad), has me dreaming of another (albeit unlikely) 1 vs 2 matchup this season, this time in Columbus (how great would that be???).

I thought going into the game that the Auburn-LSU winner would be the #2 team in the nation, and I was proved right. That was a heck of a defensive struggle. It might have severely hurt Kenny Irons' Heisman hopes, but I think he'd trade that for a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

If the season ended right now, we'd have an amazing National Title Game. The amazing defense of Auburn against the explosive offense of Ohio State. I know we've got a long way to go still, but I can see both teams holding on and giving us that match-up. Still, Ohio State has to get through Michigan, Iowa, Penn State, and a couple of Big Ten trap games, while Auburn's got plenty of heavy hitters and the big 'Bama game. Here's hoping Ohio State and Auburn make it, though.

Other teams making big impressions with me: Florida, Louisville, and Georgia. Georgia's D looks suffocating, I guess Louisville doesn't miss Bush all that much afterall, and it looks like Urban's system might be starting to click. That Georga-Florida cocktail party is going to be a great match-up, another amazing O vs. amazing d match-up. And is there anyone willing to bet the under when West Virginia plays Louisville?

Here's my updated top 25

1. Ohio State
2. Auburn
3. Florida
4. Michigan
5. West Virginia
6. Georgia
7. Louisville
8. USC
9. Virginia tech
10. Oregon
11. TCU
12. Iowa
13. Texas
14. LSU
15. Notre Dame
16. Boston College
17. Boise State
18. Arizona State
19. Michigan State
20. Penn State
21. Cal
22. Oklahoma
23. Tennessee
24. Clemson
25. Nebraska
26. Akron

And, my updated Heisman Ballot:

1. Troy Smith, Ohio State
2. Steve Slaton, West Virginia
3. Dwayne Jarrett, USC
4. Mario Manningham, Michigan
5. Mike Klinkenborg, Iowa