You don't want to be arrogant, but Wisconsin Badgers running back P.J. Hill isn't even dressed for the game. Ohio State has to like its chances, but stranger things have happened this football season.

So far I've managed to ignore that 10-ton gorilla in the cyber room.

Are the Ohio State Buckeyes overrated? That's the prevailing opinion of the pundits and powers that be in college football. They point to the cupcake schedule the Buckeyes have played and say: "See, they haven't played anyone."

And they're right. And they're wrong.

They're right for three reasons: Youngstown State, University of Akron and Kent State. Cupcakes? Hell, creampuffs they are. It's a way to provide in-state colleges a huge payday for the willingness to take a beating and in the process we process we won't beat up on you too bad. The lone "real" football school in the Buckeyes non-conference schedule was the Washington Huskies and the Buckeyes smacked them on the nose like the pups they were.

The point is that OSU can control that portion of the schedule - easily. And the team's worthiness wouldn't come into question if they dared to schedule just two cupcakes and two programs that are actually competitive.

Those pundits are wrong in this respect: OSU cannot control the rest of the schools that occupy the Big Ten. You can't help that prior to this year that Illinois, Purdue, Indiana and the rest of the Big Ten were pretty much also rans. Michigan State hit a rough patch and, as much as it pains me to say this, Penn State isn't likely to be a force again until Joe Paterno is gone. Michigan will always be Michigan and that's why I wagged my index finger at fans who want to see them collapse.

When you're in a conference where there are only two national powerhouses - unlike the Southeastern Conference which has five or more - you're only as respected as your closest competitor or, in this case, rival.

No you didn't misread that headline. If you follow basketball in any form or fashion you have to wonder whether the Buckeyes basketball coach sold his soul at basketball's crossroads.

Why ask this question now?

Because Matta, scouting guru that he is has gone into the Cleveland area and nabbed a shooting guard to be part of his Class of 2010. You read that right. Not, 2008 or 2009, but 2010. This kid is currently a star at Cleveland's Benedictine High School.

Here's the lowdown: Mr. Cameron Wright, Benedictine High School student, a 3.83 GPA sophomore, and basketball athlete who stands at 6 feet, 4 inches weighing 200 lbs. Mr. Wright averages 15 points and 5.7 assists per game. Mr. Wright came to Benedictine High School from Shaker Middle School.

And now Matta has him in the Buckeyes' fold - at least verbally. You have to like that about the guy - the ability to relate to kids on that level to make them want to make such a life-altering choice so soon.

For the record, it's Matta's third commit to the Class of 2010. The others are:
Trae Golden, a point guard out of Powder Springs, Georgia who is rated a five-star prospect

Jared Sullinger, a power forward out of Columbus who is also rated a five-star prospect.

If anyone can point out anytime when Mark May of ESPN's college football coverage has ever given the Ohio State Buckeyes their due, will you please post a link in the comments section?

I sit here at almost 8 a.m. this morning watching reruns of yesterday's college football coverage and May, a Pitt (thanks Larry D., maybe I thought it was USC because his nose is always up their … oh… nevermind) alum, give his Top Five. He placed the University of South Florida at No. 1 in front of the Buckeyes. Of course, that's his choice.

I try not to be a homer. In the interest of full disclosure, I went to OSU for a couple of years. But once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. However, I have been able to see their athletic teams in a realistic light since I was a teen.

May gave USF the benefit of a doubt based on their upset of West Virginia and a victory over Auburn. The Buckeyes only victory against a ranked opponent came last week against Purdue. But I recall May having his doubts during the regular season last year and I also remember him piling on during the Bucks' miraculous championship run in 2002.

Watching May I often get the impression that if he could spew venom in OSU's direction without regard to ESPN directors, he would.

So tell me? Am I imagining this?

Kent State University Coach Doug Martin could have allowed sportswriters to have some hopes and dreams that we'd have a competitive game today. Then he had to open his mouth.

For the record Martin told reporters earlier this week that he wouldn't be playing his front line players because he wants to save them for the final games in the MAC. Oh that's just ducky. So instead of a Waterloo, we get to witness a Little Big Horn. How do I contain my enthusiasm?

Nevermind that this "game" comes in the middle of the conference schedule, but it's against the Kent State Golden Flashes. That in itself assures that I will need mega doses of stimulants to stay awake.

In reply to Martin resting his players, OSU Coach Tressel adopted the philosophy that if "you rest, you rust." That means his front line players will be in the game until KSU is suitably beat into submission.

For anyone sitting and watching this, it could be a long afternoon. Of course, the broadcast will have one saving grace - it's on the Big Ten Network. Not many folks will see it.

Far be it for me to second guess a coach that's already won one national championship and played for two, but I'm a sportswriter. That's why they pay me the chump change.

But I don't get some moves Jim Tressel made while up in the second quarter. There's some serious inconsistencies. For example, after recovering a fumble on a kickoff return at the Purdue 33 and going a mere eight yards on the drive, Tressel elected to go for it on fourth and two instead of kicking a field goal. Beanie Wells promptly lost three yards and they turned the ball over on downs.

Yet when the Buckeyes got the ball back with 1:47 left on their 36 with plenty of time to mount some kind of drive and essentially put the game way, they come out running and that drive eventually stalled. Gambler or conservate cleric? A little consistency please. They may have missed an opportunity to go up by at least 20.

Yeah, it would seem that the Buckeyes aren't looking to repeat history in this Purdue game. The Boilermakers typically play them close.

After one quarter it's 14-0 and the Buckeyes are dominating every aspect of the game.

Boeckman looks to be in confident and in control. He got Ray Small, the speedster out of Cleveland involved in the offense with two pass receptions and a score. That was needed to take some heat off Brian Robiskie who was certainly going to see his share of double coverage.

The Wells Brothers - Beanie and Mo - ran with authority and the special teams kept everything else in check.

How complete was the domination? The Bucks ran 19 plays and gained 148 yards to Purdue's 18 plays for 61 yards.

After watching Illinois effectively smack the Badgers on the nose earlier this afternoon, I'm beginning to believe the Big Ten Conference is up for grabs.

Certainly the Ohio State Buckeyes can take a big step toward claiming the title by dispensing with Purdue tonight, but it's seriously beginning to look like a cage match or some serious cannibalization as the conference's also rans - Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State - are beginning to show some bite this year.

What is certain is there's nothing a given this year. If I'm going to give anyone an advantage, however, it's going to be the Buckeyes, primarily because they have a coach in JIm Tressel who keeps his team on an even keel. Talk to them and they come off like a bunch of Stepford Kids, and that's primairly due to Tresselization. And I'm sure most Buckeyes fans don't care as long as they win.

I believe that Wisconsin was unmasked today, but they certainly aren't out of it. But the team the Bucks need to watch for is the Illinois Fighting Illini, who for some inexplicable reason play the Buckeyes tough every time they meet. And no one should ever believe that the Wolverines are out of things, despite the fact they've still looked iffy in the past couple of weeks.

Call it a weekly rant or rave, your choice.

I'm sitting here in Cleveland Browns Stadium with the Browns up by three TDs - wait I just jinxed them, make that two TDs - against the Ravens.

You see something in this team you haven't in Coach Romeo Crennel's last squads, they actually seem to be enjoying playing and save one ridiculous run by Ravens running back Willis Magahee on what should have been a loss for a couple of yards, they've been fairly solid.

The record may be 1-2, but with the exception of that opening day disaster against the Steelers, they've been competitive. The could just as easily be 2-1 now, as opposed to 1-2. There are still huge problems here, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. The bend-and-bend-some-more defenise sometimes look like a sieve - especially on the line and you can beat this team passing. Still, I'll take competitive any day.

On a completey different note…

Courtesy of a ridiculous Saturday afternoon in college football the Ohio State Buckeyes, who were ranked outside the Top Ten in many pre-season polls - find themselves sitting at No. 4 because four teams ahead of them - Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and West Virginia - all went down in defeat over the weekend.

Do the Buckeyes deserve it? Probably not given the Eazy-Bake schedule they faced in non-conference play. But they don't make the rules. They could find themselves 6-0 by the time they get what could be a test against the Michigan State Spartans. But recall listening to all the college football pundits (are you out there Mark May) who said they didn't deserve it in 2002. This year is starting to remind me somewhat of that one.

You've got a QB some are still unsure of. The offense is proficient, not explosive and the defense is plain out vicious. Running the table is conceivable, but like most I am leary of the Penn State Nittany Lions and this year's surprise team, Illinois.

So I'm sitting here in the pressbox at Husky Stadium in Seattle and there in the stands sit an ocean of scarlet.

I'm sitting here wondering how these Bucks fans got tix all the way out here in the Pacific Northwest. I've been seeing them all weekend. That kind of fan loyalty is unreal.

I also got the opportunity to check out how the Bucks are perceived in other parts of the country. One interesting perspective is offered here.

End of the first half:

It's painfully evident from the score 7-3 that any success the Buckeyes are going to enjoy this season will be because of the defense. With Boeckman at QB there is absolutely no spark whatsoever.

He forced the ball into receivers and he's been off most of the day. Of course the Buckeyes could be up by two points had one field goal not been missed and another blocked, but that's football. The offensive unit expressed disappointment in its performance last week. One can only imagine what's going on in that locker room now.

Let me know what you think.