Another big game in Big Ten country; USC-Ohio State share spotlight with Notre Dame-Michigan

USC-Ohio St share spotlight with ND-Michigan

The Southern California-Ohio State game will have to share the spotlight Saturday with an old and storied rivalry being played just to the north that became far more interesting after the first week of the season.

Before the third-ranked Trojans and No. 8 Buckeyes begin their rematch of last year’s USC romp, No. 18 Notre Dame plays at Michigan earlier Saturday.

Few coaches entered the season facing as much scrutiny as Charlie Weis and Rich Rodriguez. But after thoroughly impressive victories last week, there is reason for optimism for Weis’ Fighting Irish and Rodriguez’s Wolverines.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen might be throwing to the best group of receivers in the country, with wideouts Golden Tate and Michael Floyd complimented by tight end Kyle Rudolph.

At Michigan, freshman quarterback Tate Forcier appears to be the perfect fit, a shifty and nimble run-pass threat, for the spread offense.

“He probably was more nervous than he let on,” Rodriguez said. “But he didn’t act like it, and he didn’t seem like it on the sidelines or in pregame. He had a big smile on his face.”

The last two seasons Michigan and Notre Dame have both been unranked when they played, turning one of the great college football rivalries into a black comedy. This is more like it.

USC turned last season’s much-hyped meeting with the Buckeyes into a laugher. The Trojans won 35-3, but many of the stars of that game for USC — Mark Sanchez, Rey Maualuga — are now in the NFL.

The one positive to come out of that trip to Los Angeles for Ohio State was the play of Terrelle Pryor. As a freshman, he showed he was ready to lead the Buckeyes.

This season it’s the Trojans coming in with a freshman quarterback. Matt Barkley looked good last week in a 56-3 victory against San Jose State. Facing a talented Buckeyes defense, in front of more than 102,000 at Ohio Stadium, will be a whole new deal for Barkley.

The picks: