The new phone books are here!

Like Navin R. Johnson, I've been waiting for this day for quite a while.

What a day-- sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and just a hint of fall in the air.

What a game-- #2 and #4 in the country, two of the winningest programs in college football history (Texas 786 wins, Ohio State 765) meeting for the first time ever in more than a century of play, and what promises to be one of, if not the loudest crowd in Ohio Stadium history.

Keys to the game
1) Control the line of scrimmage: If OSU's d-line can hold their own against an oversized line from Texas, the Bucks can probably control the Horns' running game. If they can do that, they've got a shot. The same is true on the other side of the ball. If the O-line can open some holes (and hopefully protect the QB), it could be an incredible night.

2) Shuffle the QBs correctly: I don't care who starts (although I would be surprised if it's not Justin Zwick) and I don't really care who plays how many series. I just hope to God that Tressel isn't coming in saying "we need to play Troy Smith in the first quarter", and then yanks Zwick while he's hot. Believe me, it has happened. If Zwick moves the ball all night, let Smith sit on the bench. If Smith moves the ball all night, let Zwick sit on the bench.

3) Turnovers: I don't think Vince Young is going to be a big factor with his legs tonight-- just a gut feeling. Assuming OSU controls the rest of the Texas run game, that means they have to beat the Buckeyes through the air. I don't think they can do that without help. If the turnovers finish even, I think OSU wins. If the Bucks are +2, they might win by double digits. If they finish -2, it could be a long, sad drive home tonight.

4) Playmakers: Ted Ginn vs. Ramonce Taylor. One of these guys is going to make a "holy crap, did you see that?" play tonight. If it's Ginn, I don't see Texas winning.

5) The Pittman/Holmes/Gonzalez group: With Texas working OT to contain Ginn, one of these guys needs to make something happen tonight as well. If you leave Holmes and Gonzalez in single coverage all night, I think one of them scores. Pittman needs to average 4 yards a pop tonight and not put it on the ground.

6) Texas' stable of running backs: They're big, they're fast, they're deep. If Texas takes an early lead, they might be able to grind on the Buckeyes all night. That's why you can't let Texas take an early lead.

7) Special teams, special teams, special teams: A trademark of the Tressel era. Texas' kicker is a little shaky (three missed/blocked PATs in week one) and OSU's kicker is for all intents and purposes a first-year starter. Let's see if these guys can nail a clutch kick. It could very easily come down to that.

My best guess: Ohio State 23, Texas 17.