ESPN

Aaron Rodgers had to wait about three years to dazzle pro football fans in the state of Wisconsin. Russell Wilson needed about three offensive series on the college level. Granted, routing UNLV is a little easier assignment than displacing Brett Favre, but the new quarterback of the Wisconsin Badgers looked every bit the ACC star he was for three years at NC State. Are we looking at another Heisman run from a transfer quarterback?

• "As a Virginia Tech fan, I'm glad Russell Wilson is finding success, IN ANOTHER CONFERENCE!! That was a guy that I hated to love -- Virginia-grown but played for an NC State team that always gave Tech a run for its money, only because of the offense directed by Wilson. Hands down that team should be a favorite to make the Rose Bowl with him behind the wheel." -- SN commenter Archer the impailer
• "Did he "dazzle" against an unranked team?! This is why college football is useless. Big Bad No. 11 plays St. Mary's School for the Blind and everyone is amazed that they won by 40. Hooray for stat padding!!!" -- SN commenter Klitch

Will Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson be a serious Heisman contender this season?

•  
  45%
  Yes
•  
  55%
  No

(Total votes: 76,830)

Who is the best quarterback in the Big Ten?

•  
  10%
  Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
•  
  16%
  Taylor Martinez, Nebraska
•  
  32%
  Denard Robinson, Michigan
•  
  33%
  Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
•  
  9%
  Someone else

(Total votes: 6,224)

Which team has a better chance of winning a title?

•  
  53%
  Milwaukee Brewers
•  
  47%
  University of Wisconsin football

(Total votes: 6,062)

• Vote: Which team will win each BCS bowl? | How will Auburn-Oregon play out?
• Rank 'Em: Which are the strongest BCS teams? | Who are the best BCS players?

After a season full of upsets, near upsets, blowouts, rivalries and Cameron Newton, the BCS picture has finally been fully painted.

The national championship game looks to be a real barn burner, as Auburn and Oregon both feature high-powered offenses capable of scoring several touchdowns in a single quarter. It'll be a challenge for either team to limit the other to fewer than 30 points, but we won't complain if the combined points total of this game skyrockets past 80. The other matchups seem pretty even, too, save for the surprising Connecticut Huskies taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. Connecticut made a BCS bowl despite managing only an 8-4 record and will be hard-pressed to stop Landry Jones and Oklahoma's passing attack. Still, we're looking forward to all these games. Which promises to be the most exciting?

• 
  National championship: Auburn vs. Oregon: "I have to say I actually think this game will be close. Auburn will start punding the ball like a 1980s team in the second half and I see Oregon making a couple mistakes to lead to turnovers or souple three and outs and Auburn having a 10 minute 15+ Play drive in the forth to go up by 2 touchdowns." -- EarnYourOwn
• 
  Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs. Ohio State: "Arkansas CAN beat Ohio State. This isn't your grandma's Ark team. This isn't an under-talented HDN team sneaking in through a weak west, relying on David Vs Goliath speeches along the way, only to be crushed in a mis-match. This team has talent, experience, and confidence. So does OSU, which makes this a GREAT match-up. " -- HAWGHEAD14
• 
  Orange Bowl: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech: "wooo couldnt have hoped for a better match up than this for my Hokies! Should be a great game. Stanford is a GREAT team, should be a good test for VT. Stanford will be favored, which plays into VTs hands. All season since the embarrassing 0-2 start has been about getting respect back, and if the Hokies can pull off a win over a great Stanford team, they will finally get that respect back! " -- Dmoney51715
• 
  Fiesta Bowl: Connecticut vs. Oklahoma: "As a Uconn fan, I have to say that this is great to go to a BCS game and play a team with the history of OU. It was also great to see us destroy a South Carolina team last year and beat Notre Dame at their place as well. However, I am not delusional to think that we could compete week in and out in that conference, but do think they are going to play a lot better than most believe. " -- Ice1396
• 
  Rose Bowl: TCU vs. Wisconsin: "Wow, what a statistical dead heat in the offensive category. I hope this game will be as great as it is on paper, statistically speaking. TCU being in the Rose "Granddaddy of them all" Bowl is awesome! This is the true gut punch to the E. Gorden Gee elitists of the world. Rejoice Frog faithful, we are only one of four other teams, OU, UT, Nebraska, and Miami, that have EVER played in this bowl game outside of the Pac-10/Big Ten! Awesome week to be a Frog." -- HornedFrog1992

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | Unbeaten hurdles

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 LSU at No. 4 Auburn

• Is Les Miles crazy like a fox or just crazy?

• Will Cam Newton have a better NFL career than Tim Tebow?

• Vote on those and other questions about LSU at Auburn!

Tickle (DC)

When Auburn or LSU wins this weekend, who will they jump in the polls, and since they're #2 and #3 in the computer, will the winner move up to #1?

Ivan Maisel

I'm not smart enough to know what that will do to the computers. A lot of you have asked who I think will win. I've thought LSU all week, and now I'm beginning to change my mind. It will come down to the LSU defense being able to clamp down Auburn in a way that no one else has. I think LSU is capable. But the home field....and how does anyone predict what LSU is going to do? Seriously. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 11 Missouri

• Is Blaine Gabbert a better quarterback than Landry Jones?

• Is this a tougher road test for Oklahoma than at Oklahoma State?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oklahoma at Missouri!

Michael (Hermosa Beach)

Does Mizzou have much of a hostile stadium? Landry Jones lost a bunch of road games last year....

Pat Forde

Michael: I'd say the Faurot Field intangible fluctuates with the success of the team. Given Mizzou's undefeated record and the stakes Saturday, and that it's a night game, I expect it to be pretty loud. But Oklahoma is probably used to pretty loud. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 16 Nebraska at No. 14 Oklahoma State

• Did Bo Pelini make a mistake benching Taylor Martinez last week?

• Which team has more to prove in this game?

• Vote on those and other questions about Nebraska at Oklahoma State!

Anthony (Mizzou)

Ubben, how painful was it for you to watch your boy T-Magic go down in flames last weekend? You're obviously trying to cope by keeping your favorite team at #2 in your power rankings. It seems to ridiculous to keep them above undefeated OK St and Mizzou, but knock yourself out.

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

So one week they're a national championship contender, and after a mistake-filled game that finished in a seven-point loss to a team with enough talent to start the season in a top 5, they're relegated to the middle of the Big 12? No way. If Oklahoma State or Mizzou win this weekend, they'll leapfrog the Huskers, but the people sliding the Huskers to fifth place in the league by default after the loss are nuts. Like I said on Monday, Nebraska is favored on the road by a touchdown against Oklahoma State. How many other teams in the country would that apply to? Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 15 Iowa

• Is John Clay more valuable than Ricky Stanzi?

• Is the winner still in the national title picture?

• Vote on those and other questions about Wisconsin at Iowa!

Dave (Milwaukee, WI)

Adam, will my Badgers need to win out to have any hope of a BCS with the top of the Big Ten looking a little crowded? How concerned should we be if another team wins the conference, and we're sitting there with 1-2 losses and Ohio State/MSU/Iowa all have similar records for an at-large bid? I saw your last projection had us in the Outback Bowl, Badger fans are getting a little tired of going to a bowl game in Florida not named "Orange."

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Dave, winning out would be the best path for Wisconsin, obviously. Wisconsin also should root for Michigan State to either lose twice or win out. If the Spartans lose twice, Wisconsin could get a BCS berth ahead of MSU, despite the head-to-head loss. If MSU wins out and Wisconsin wins out, it hands Iowa two losses and puts a 1-loss Badgers team ahead of the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin obviously has the head-to-head win against Ohio State, but another Buckeyes loss wouldn't hurt, either. Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Rank the running backs | Midseason picks

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Ohio State at No. 18 Wisconsin

• Is Terrelle Pryor the most overrated player in college football?

• Is this the toughest road test remaining for the Buckeyes?

• Vote on those and other questions about Ohio State at Wisconsin!

Josh (Madison, WI)

What does the addition of freshman star, James White, mean to the Badgers this year as they get ready for OSU?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

It's huge, Josh. White complements John Clay so well, and he'll really test Ohio State's speed on defense when he gets into the open field. I'm simply amazed that a true freshman has been able to establish himself as Wisconsin 1A back next to Clay. It's a real testament to White and the coaches who recruited him. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 12 Arkansas at No. 7 Auburn

• Would you rather have Ryan Mallett or Cameron Newton?

• Are Auburn's late wins an asset or a liability?

• Vote on those and other questions about Arkansas at Auburn!

Rod (Gulf Shores, AL)

What do you think of Cam Newton? Is he good enough to come out this year in the draft?

Mel Kiper

I think the jury is still out on that. He hasn't played many games. He played in junior college last year. He's a fourth-year junior. You're talking about an Auburn team that is 6-0 and they still have 6 big games left. They're only halfway through the season. We only saw glimpses of Cam Newton as a true freshman at Florida. They have LSU next week. with Newton, you see running skills, rocket arm. The only issue I have with him is that he takes some risk with his arm in making some throws and he's fortunate that they arne't picked off. We'll see how his decision making evolves. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for Texas at No. 5 Nebraska

• Will Nebraska lose its Texas recruiting base in the Big Ten?

• Will Taylor Martinez dominate on the ground?

• Vote on those and other questions about Texas at Nebraska!

Denard Robinson (The Big House)

Dave, I got T-Magic beat in the sprint. If I had as good of an offensive line as Nebraska does, I'd be putting up twice the numbers!

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

Maybe, but I'll still take Martinez in a dead sprint. I got e-mails from Nebraska fans calling me crazy before the season for calling their offensive line the best in the league over the summer. Seems like those have mysteriously stopped. I remember an interview I did with Keith Williams over the spring where he couldn't stop smiling when he was talking about the running game, and just kept saying, "It's nice." I have to wonder if the big guys up front have seen this coming for awhile. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 15 Iowa at Michigan

• Does Iowa have more to prove in this game than Michigan?

• Do you trust Denard Robinson more than Iowa's defense?

• Vote on those and other questions about Iowa at Michigan!

Dan (Iowa City)

No Denard Robinson vs. the Number 1 Defense commentary for us?

Ivan Maisel

Michigan State "held" Robinson to 301 total yards by being very disciplined. That's exactly how Iowa plays defense. Nothing fancy. The Hawkeyes just do their job. I think Iowa will win for that reason and a few others. Full transcript

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama

• Is John Brantley a better passer than Greg McElroy?

• Will Nick Saban be at Alabama longer than Urban Meyer is at Florida?

• Vote on those and other questions about Florida at Alabama!

Brian (Florida)

Mel, Should Florida have kept "Trey Burton" a secret until this Sat against Alabama? I think so. Now Bama coaches can plan on stopping this new Offensive Package Florida has.. What do you think?

Mel Kiper

He is a very versatile player. You have to get him in the game to evolve the offense. They weren't separating themselves from other teams and they needed something to flip that switch. This was a breakout game for them in life after Tebow. You have to see what you have. There are more games on the schedule than just Alabama. They needed to find weapons and they obviously found one in Burton. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 9 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon

• Is Oregon's new QB better than its old QB?

• Is this the "Game of the Year" in the Pac-10?

• Vote on those and other questions about Stanford at Oregon!

James (St. Paul, MN)

Ivan, What chance do you give the 2 visting teams this weekend? Florida and Stanford. I know you are a Stanford Alum so you cannot be biased

Ivan Maisel

And I grew up in Alabama, so maybe I can. Seriously, Florida is a young team going into a very tough place to play against a team that has been thinking about them all season. It's a tall order for the Gators. Stanford has the style to compete with Oregon. Whether that physical play and the talent of Andrew Luck can prevail in the toughest stadium in the Pac-10, I don't know. I would be more surprised by a Florida win than a Stanford win. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma

• Is Garrett Gilbert a star in waiting for Texas?

• Should the Big 12 move the game later in the season?

• Vote on those and other questions about Texas vs. Oklahoma!

Ryan (Houston)

Last minute switch to a spread have any chance of working for Texas this weekend?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

If I'm Texas, I shift to a little bit more of a pass-oriented scheme. The running game is just not working, and that's not going to change this week, despite what OU's rushing numbers say. For Texas, Gilbert is their best offensive talent, and the more the ball is in his hand, the better. They don't have any elite backs capable of changing games right now and the offensive line hasn't been impressive. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa

• Was last week proof Evan Royster is back?

• Would you rather have Joe Paterno or Kirk Ferentz this season?

• Vote on those and other questions about Penn State at Iowa!

Norm Parker's Doctor (Iowa City, IA)

Do you see Penn State's offense, and Royster specifically, suddenly turning things on or was Temple the fluke for the young QB and Royster?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Well Doc, hope Norm is doing better, first and foremost. Will be good to see him back soon. I don't think Royster's performance was a fluke at all. He's an All-Big Ten-caliber back, as he's shown the past few seasons, and Temple has a pretty stout defense. The concerns are still there in the red zone, though. If Penn State can't start punching it in for touchdowns, it'll be a tough Big Ten season. Full transcript

Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 11 Wisconsin at No. 24 Michigan State

• Which team has the better backfield?

• Does Madison have rougher winters than East Lansing?

• Vote on those and other questions about Wisconsin at Michigan State!

Dizzle (Detroit, MI)

How much with MSU go up the rankings if they beat Wisconsin this saturday?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Good question, Dizzle, one I've been thinking about quite a bit. The voters don't seem to think much of Wisconsin, keeping the Badgers at No. 11 despite Texas' loss and a 70-3 Wisconsin win. I'd imagine Michigan State would enter the top 20, probably 16-18. Full transcript

• Vote: Should the Big Ten play its championship game at Lambeau Field?
• Rank 'Em: Who are the Big Ten's best and worst coaches?
• Chats: Heather Dinich takes ACC questions, 12 ET | Chris Low takes SEC questions, 3 ET

The Big Ten has settled a lot of issues when it comes to the league's future. It will have a new team when Nebraska joins next season. It will have a championship game, perhaps as early as next season to welcome the Cornhuskers. (If you want SportsNation's advice on the site, almost nothing would be cooler than Lambeau Field.) The conference is even close to figuring out schedules, with commissioner Jim Delaney hinting at nine conference games.

One thing conspicuously missing from the grand plan? What do we call it?

Some cute design work with the logo -- some people see an "11" between the words, while others see a rabbit -- kept things in check when the league had 11 teams, but a 12-team league can't be called the Big Ten, right? The Pac-10 solved the dilemma the easy way, but unless the Big Ten and Big 12 simply trade names, it's a little trickier for them.

What do you think it should be called?

Chris (DC)

If you're Jim Delany, where are you going to host the championship game?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Chris, I'd look at the SEC's model and see if there's once facility that makes the most sense. If not, I'd certainly be open to a rotation. Big Ten fans will travel to this game, and moving it between places like Indy, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland wouldn't be too tough logistically. I'd also consider the Green Bay option, although I'd have a long list of questions to ask the Packers before going through with it. Full transcript

• Vote: Is Jacory Harris a Heisman favorite for 2010?

It's not always easy to justify the "bowl games as reward for a good season" theory (USC in the Emerald Bowl and UCLA in the EagleBank Bowl come to mind). But as different as their styles may be on the field, Miami and Wisconsin both fulfill that ideal pretty darn well in the Champs Sports Bowl (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). SportsNation picked the Badgers to finish sixth in the Big Ten and the Hurricanes to finish fifth in the ACC. Both fared better, and one will finish with 10 wins and momentum for next season with a returning quarterback.

SportsNation blogger "Wisconsin sports fan" offers one take.

• "Most people will pick Miami for the game and I don't blame them. They have Jacory Harris and their practically playing at home. But look at this way, I question the run defense of Miami and we have a great running back in John Clay. So think we can have a very successful rushing attack against the Hurricanes. Another point is Jacory Harris either has a great game or he has a not so great game and we have in mind a great defense. Finally we have a good QB for the first time in what seems like years." -- Read the full post.

Sean Faircloth (Savannah, GA)

What are your thoughts on the Champs Bowl? Any predictions?

Mark Schlabach

I like Miami, but I think it could be a very close game. Jacory Harris has to avoid mistakes. Wisconsin will be able to run the ball on UM. Full transcript

Tyler (Seattle, WA)

Hey Heather, Do you think Jacory Harris stays all 4 years or leaves After his Junior year. I think he should go all 4 years because he needs to work on a few things like his turnovers and if he tightened that up he would be a really good QB

ACC Blogger Heather Dinich

I think he'll stay, but I also think it's too early to be talking about that decision for Jacory. Like you said, he's got some things he needs to work on, but so do the guys around him. Not all of those INTs were his fault. Full transcript | ACC blog

“

It's sad seeing Miami fans, without football glory they have nothingness. And they are as outdated as Miami Vice.

” -- eigerhund

“

We have a great recruiting class coming in. Got some O-line guys that will definetly help with the run game. Also more solid Defensive backs/Ends will add much needed depth for next year. The injuries across the Defense absolutely killed us this year but the young guys played well and got some valuable playing time.

” -- MiamiBallinBoys

• Vote: Would expanding to 12 teams really help the Big Ten?
• Chat: Ivan Maisel, 2 ET | Beano Cook, 3 ET | Big East blogger Brian Bennett, 4 ET

Dollar Stores. Super 8 Motels. The Six Million Dollar Man. We get that names involving numbers aren't always accurate to the last decimal. But if the Big Ten is going to expand to 12 teams, we need to come up with a new name. And we're pretty sure the Big 12 is taken.

Not surprisingly, Big Ten expansion is a hot topic in SportsNation blogs.

• "The University of Chicago will remain as the school "where fun comes to die" and will not return to Division I athletics. The University of Notre Dame needs more time to rebuild, and if it were asked to join, ND would merely become the Big Ten's Catholic counterpart to Indiana. This would not improve the Big Ten's current reputation as underachievers on the national gridiron. ... Also, given its location near the Ohio border, Pitt would add to the legitimacy of Penn State's membership in a conference otherwise based entirely in the Upper Midwest." -- Read GMU_OSU_Fan's full post.

• "I do like the idea of the Big Ten adding another team. However, I would like that team to be Notre Dame ... or forget it. I think a Big 12 team (save Iowa State) would bring something to the table, as well, i.e. Missouri. But aside from the fact that they won't come to us, Mizzou is a bit too far away." -- Read nunyabiz81's full post.

Andrew (Nashville)

Let's play conference dominos! If the Big 10's newly announced expanision takes a Big East team, who joins the Big East? If they take Missouri, does the Big 12 replace them with T.C.U.?

Graham Watson

That's what I was telling Adam Rittenberg yesterday. It seems like the logical move. Full transcript

Paul (Dothan, AL)

I've been hearing how the Big 10 wants to expand to 12 teams. How would that affect conference realignment in the Non-AQ conferences?

Graham Watson

It just depends who it is. If it's Pitt, then probably East Carolina or Southern Miss would be a favorite to go to the Big East. If it's Missouri, then maybe TCU heads to the Big 12... So yeah, the non-AQs would be affected in some way. With C-USA, it might present an interesting opportunity for a MAC team to move to C-USA and put the MAC back at 12 teams. Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
• Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
• Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).

Iowa fans like shuman346 should beware. When your team reaches this point in the season undefeated, every blogger starts eyeing it as a potential upset victim.

In addition to Hawkeyes-Badgers, fans who blogged about football this week are looking forward to the Sooners-Longhorns and Trojans-Irish rivalry games this weekend.

On sideline topics, Florida State did nothing to quiet the debate between the camp that believes Bobby Bowden's record speaks for itself and those who ask what the Seminoles coach has done lately for the team's win-loss record.

These are the best college football fan blogs of the week. Click through to comment, disagree and discuss your favorite teams.

Week 7 predictions: RollFreakinTide37 | BrookBerringer18 | I am Ron Burgandy | gbirkem2 | TheSwingingFriar | Sportsguru6 | IdahoanTyke | TheVols2k7

Rankings (with No. 1 team): pnthrsfn1012 (Florida) | canesinla (Florida) | C.UngureitJr (Alabama) | TheVols2k7 (Alabama) | Yodaman0420

“

Wisconsin over No. 11 Iowa. Let's face it, has Iowa really proved themselves this year? Wisconsin at home in my mind is an easy pick.

” -- gbirkem2

“

Now, I'm gonna break down the men I think should lead Florida State University: 1. Jim Leavitt; 2. Tommy Tuberville; 3. Kevin Sumlin; 4. Jimbo Fisher.

” -- malcolmpar

“

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When Jimmy Clausen gives you lemons, you thank him and walk away slowly.

” -- I am Ron Burgandy