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The Potato is back from their Cabo bye and we finally get to crunch time in the college football season. And crunch time is going to be all about the Big 10 over the next few weeks with Michigan taking center stage playing both Penn State and Ohio State to settle once and for all who is the best team in the conference.

There are a few other key games, Ole miss at Georgia, Georgia at Tennessee, Washington at Oregon State, but overall there likely will only be 1 more big upset along the way at most. We've got 11 teams right now for 4 spots.

It looks like it is shaping up as:

Spot 1: Oregon vs Washington will play for 1 spot

Spot 2: Georgia vs Bama/Ole Miss will play for 1 spot. Ole Miss could even be left out at 11-1 beating Georgia as Bama beat them and will likely play for the SEC championship.

Spot 3: Michigan/PSU/Ohio St. will play for 1 spot - with a 3 way tie going to Penn St. potentially being key.

Spot 4: Florida St. with a very outside shot Louisville.

Spot 5: There is no spot 5, but Texas needs to win out and likely would go in over Penn St. or needs someone to lose along the way or in the championship game.

So, in short, we're probably going to end up with 5 worthy teams, maybe 6 for only 4 spots. Don't lose now or you're basically eliminated (but for a few teams) - the greatness of the college football season at its best!

Who will make it? 1. Michigan 2. Georgia 3. Florida St. 4. Oregon

The Big Game

So, what's going to happen at Happy Valley? I've been there twice and it can be a nightmare place to play. There's not much faith in Vegas on Penn St. as Michigan is a huge -5 favorite on the road. Penn. St. is not really getting the sorta respect they deserve here. Sure, they looked like trash against Ohio State, but it was still a one score game in the end (even if a late TD). The play-calling and confidence was lacking in that game, and I think being at home they're going to be a lot more aggressive.

While I don't think this will be a '97 destruction that I got to witness live, oh that was fun!, I do think Michigan has just enough to eke out a win here. This will be the first game of the season where we play a team with a pulse so we're going to need to be sharp and get used to the better talent. There were some concerning periods in that Purdue game that made me a bit nervous for Saturday. But, at the same time, we're going to throw in a few more wrinkles that we've kept under wraps and we didn't even run McCarthy that I'm sure we will against Penn St.

Prediction: Michigan 23-17

Weirdest Team/Game Of The Year: Has anyone looked into Oklahoma St. vs South Alabama earlier in the season? South Alabama who is now 4-5 with losses to Central Michigan, Troy, Louisiana, James Madison, Tulane (not bad teams no doubt, but...) beat Oklahoma St. at Oklahoma St. by 33-7? Oklahoma St. who just beat Oklahoma amongst very good others along the way now has a good chance to play for the Big 12 championship... because of Alan Bowman - a 6th year former Michigan 3rd stringer? He was the difference for their team that much against South Alabama? I don't know, just something seems weird on that one... it’s one thing to lose, but 33-7? Odd - was the fix in!

Predictions:

MICHIGAN (6-2-1): Lost Purdue game with late cover. Michigan 23-17 beats Penn St. and barely covers the spread - but that’s all you need.

MORTAL LOCK (5-5 so far): Give me the Kansas Jayhawks - 4 at home against Texas Tech. I’m a believer!