There’s no doubt who Pat Fitzgerald will be watching college football this weekend. He does every weekend.

But this weekend, Fitzgerald will pay close attention to the Oregon-Oregon State matchup, just like other Big Ten fans.

“I am absolutely rooting for Mike Bellotti and the Oregon Ducks,” Fitzgerald said on Monday at his weekly Media Luncheon.

The reason? If Oregon State wins The Civil War, it earns a right to play in the Penn State in the Rose Bowl and two Pac-10 teams, USC the other, would play BCS games. If Oregon wins on Saturday in Corvallis, Ore., it opens up a spot in the BCS that would likely be filled by Ohio State, giving the Big Ten an at-large berth.

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Florida was rumored to be one of the nation’s fastest teams, running one of the best spread offenses in the country, in the best conference in college football.

Michigan had lost three games in the regular season, two to spread teams, and was said to be a classic Big Ten team defined by one word.

Slow.

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No. 3 PENN STATE (8-0, 4-0) at NO. 10 OHIO STATE (7-1, 4-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Penn State by 2.5
TV: ABC

What’s at stake: Whichever team wins this game has the inside track to the Big Ten championship. The remaining strength of schedule for both teams is about the same. Penn State’s final three opponents are 13-10 right now, and Ohio State’s are 12-9. So it all comes down to winning this game.

The Buckeyes have looked impressive since tabbing true freshman Terrelle Pryor as the starter. But if Ohio State gets behind early, it will be difficult to get back in the game since the team’s pass offense has been far from dominating. The Buckeyes rank dead last in the Big Ten, averaging 140 yards per game through the air.
On the other hand, the Nittany Lions’ offense is adept at running and passing the ball. Penn State leads the conference in rushing offense and is third in passing offense. Maybe Pryor can bring the Buckeyes back if they fall behind, but that remains to be seen.

Prediction: Penn State 48, Ohio State 35

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