Any given Saturday....

Week 3 was not supposed to be Separation Saturday, but man were there some statements made that set the landscape for the rest of the season. Coming into the week everybody was up in arms about USC, LSU, and OU (damn this sounds familiar). Who has looked best so far, who would get left out if all 3 go undefeated, who plays the toughest schedule? But Florida and Tim Tebow decided to remind America they are the defending National Champions by laying the wood to Tennessee . The win was so impressive the AP pollsters moved Florida ahead of Oklahoma, dropping the Sooners to 4. At this point it appears we have a legitimate shot to see 5 undefeated teams (including West Virginia). Louisville and UCLA showed they were really pretenders, not contenders, with their performances over the weekend. There isn't any shame in losing to your rival, but the atrocious play of the Louisville defense was going to get them sooner or later. Better sooner than later, I say. No point in living a false dream Cardinal fans. And then there are the Bruins of UCLA. 20 returning starters, a win over your rival, and all the hope in the world shattered in Salt Lake City at the hands of the Utes. Tsk, tsk tsk....

With two more undefeated's down let's peek ahead and see what lies ahead for the top 5 remaining contenders, based on current AP rank:

- #1 USC = With UCLA being exposed as frauds the schedule just got less daunting, on paper anyway. Road trips to Oregon and Cal, loom. Cal is legit and could very well end up in NC discussion. But the jury is still out on Oregon as we have seen these blazing starts from the Ducks before, only for them to flame out down the stretch. Some have questioned if the Trojans really are the best team in America, after a ho hum performance against Idaho and giving up 31 to Nebraska. But 31 points aside, USC was in control all night, so the performance can't be all bad right? Expect Cal and USC to be undefeated when they clash on November 10, with the winner taking the Pac 10 crown and possibly be in the BCS driver's seat.

- #2 LSU = The Tigers have looked good, but haven't really beaten anybody. Let's face it, VaTech had everybody fooled in the pre-season. They are not good and LSU dominated a very average team at home. With that said, there is no denying how well LSU has handled their business. With Auburn proving to be about as legit as UCLA, the SEC West slate appears to be a breeze for the Bayou Bengals. However the East side may throw in kink into the Tigers plans. Florida comes Death Valley on October 6 and the Tigers go to upset minded Kentucky. But for all intents and purposes it's a 2 game schedule for the Tigers: Beat Florida twice (at home and in Atlanta for SEC Title game).

- #3 Florida = The Gators cleared their first hurdle, man handling their rival. This ain't the Tennessee of 10 years ago, but hanging 59 on your rival is hanging 59 on your rival. Florida has answered their biggest question (Can Tim Tebow throw the ball? ) with a resounding yes. Tebow has been as good as advertised, and therefore the Gators are even more so a legit threat to get back to the BCS title game than many thought just two weeks ago. The Gators SEC slate provides a stiffer challenge than LSU, having road games at LSU, UK, and USC. And then there's that little old Georgia game. If the Gators can clear all those hurdles I don't think there will be much question who is getting one of BCS title game slots.

- #4 OU = Much like LSU, OU hasn't had much of a challenge nor played an opponent that seemed very capable of providing one. And much like Florida, OU has answered their QB question. Granted OU's question was just a wee bit more of a concern than Florida's, but Sam Bradford has produced results that have made Rhett Bomar a distant memory. OU's biggest problem, however, is the weakness of the Big XII. If there are more than 2 undefeated teams, OU will be the odd man out. Barring Mizzou and Texas A&M proving they are legit, it is a one game schedule for the Sooners. And unfortunately for OU that one game doesn't look all that daunting as Texas has looked very average for 3 weeks against inferior competition. OU may want to keep up that 60 point per game pace to impress enough voters they deserve a top 2 spot, because the computers more than likely won't be kind to the Sooners.

- #5 = West Virginia = As if Pat White and Steve Slaton weren't enough, freshman RB Noel Devine showed all of America what a talent he is versus Maryland. The Mountaineers have had lapses early in the season, despite three comfortable wins. The defense allowed Marshall to move up and down the field and score 23 points. Yes the same Marshall that just lost to (formerly) I-AA New Hampshire. And the offense has been stagnant at times when teams are able to take away the run and make White pass. The Big East has two very good defensive teams in Rutgers and Cincinnati that are capable of stopping the WVU rushing attack; and WVU has to play both of those teams at their houses. And Louisville is capable of winning a shootout. Say what you wish about he Big East, but WVU has a possibly the second toughest remaining road.

Possible BCS sleeper: Boston College may very well play BCS spoiler. I admit I overlooked the Eagles coming into the season. But they have the best QB in the ACC in Matt Ryan, and they have already won 3 conference games, including a win at #15 Georgia Tech. With their next 4 games as gimmes (Army, UMass, BGSU, at ND), the Eagles will be looking at a 7-0 start before they go down the ACC stretch. The Eagles close the season with games at VaTech, versus FSU, at Clemson, and versus Miami. Even if they win out, the Eagles would need some teams to lose to make it to New Orleans. But an ACC title and subsequent BCS berth looks very possible for BC.

- The Big 10 has 3 undefeated teams in Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Penn State. None of the three have wowed anybody with the competition they have faced at this point, although OSUs win at Washington was impressive. Penn State gets Wisky and OSU at home, so they have the advantage of the three. Wisky on the other hand has to travel to the other two, and has looked suspect in the early part of the season. Expect the Big 10 to come down to the Ohio State/Penn State winner on October 13.

- And finally, congratulations to Sylvester Croom and Ted Roof. Both got huge road wins Saturday for their struggling programs. The Bulldogs knocked off Auburn and the Blue Devils snapped the nation's longest losing streak by beating Northwestern.

So much excitement in only week 3. And it will get even better. Any given Saturday, baby! Stay tuned....