Five burning questions: Week 7

1) The Texas-Oklahoma series has a history of pitting two elite teams against each other and this year is no exception. Who’s your pick and what will we learn from both teams in this game?

Steven Lassan: I'm taking Oklahoma in this game, but I'm expecting Texas to have a strong showing. The Sooners have a chance to make a statement on Saturday, as they hope to show they are the dominant, No. 1 team in the country. The Longhorns have been shaky in pass defense, which is bad news when you are playing Sam Bradford and his cast of receivers.

Mitch Light: I like Oklahoma. And I think this game will reaffirm what we already we already believe to be true — that Oklahoma is the best team in the country. I think we will also realize that Texas is back to being an elite team. Like I said, I expect an OU win, but I think Texas will prove to be a very, very worthy opponent.

Jake Veyhl: Maybe I’m looking through burnt-orange sunglasses here, but I like Texas. The Longhorns and Sooners have played equally soft schedules and both teams have taken care of business admirably. I think what we’ll learn here is which defense can hang with the big boys. Both offenses have proven playmakers and will put all three levels of the opposing defense to the test. While I think Oklahoma has an edge from what we’ve seen thus far, new Texas D-coordinator Will Muschamp has a history of putting together some terrific game plans and he won’t disappoint in his first Red River Rivalry.

2) If the 2006 Florida Gators played the 2007 LSU Tigers, who would win? And is this weekend’s matchup between the Gators and Tigers a SEC Championship Game preview?

Steven: Slight edge to LSU, but I don't think there is much of a difference. Both teams had several close calls and the Tigers also had an injured Glenn Dorsey at defensive tackle most of the year. 10 match-ups on a neutral field and it's probably five for the Tigers, five for the Gators. Alabama will have something to say about the SEC title game, but I do think this is Round 1 for Florida vs. LSU this season. I picked the Gators as my preseason national title pick and I'm sticking to them in this game and to hoist the crystal ball in January.

Mitch: Interesting questions. While both teams were obviously very good and deserving national champs, neither will go down as one of the dominant teams of the past 10 to 15 years. Florida had a bunch of close calls that year, beating Tennessee by 1, Georgia by 7, Vanderbilt by 6, South Carolina by 1 and Florida State by 7, in addition to its loss at Auburn. And LSU lost two games last year and escaped with narrow wins in several others. All that aside, I think the 2007 LSU team at its best was better than the 2006 Florida team. Go with the Tigers. I do think this will be a preview of the SEC title game. We picked Florida to win it all, so I have to stay with the Gators, and I think LSU will edge Bama in the West.

Jake: I’ll take the Gators in the historical matchup. Both teams had stifling defenses but the Gators offense had a few more playmakers to make the difference. In this year’s edition, I like the Gators again, and because of that will say yes, this is a championship game preview. I’m still not a believer that the Tide have turned the corner completely but I do think they exposed Georgia’s weaknesses, which gives the nod to Florida in the East. Florida wins this one because of home field advantage. Charles Scott will have to have a career day for the Tigers to win, and that’s not going to happen.

3) Which 4-1 team do you believe is further along in its rebuilding, Notre Dame or North Carolina?

Steven: Both teams appear to be headed in the right direction, but I am taking North Carolina. Had quarterback T.J. Yates not suffered an ankle injury against Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels could be sitting at 5-0. The Irish struggled to beat San Diego State, while the Tar Heels managed road wins over Rutgers, Miami and beat a good Connecticut team.

Mitch: North Carolina. The Tar Heels have played a more difficult schedule and have far better wins than Notre Dame. UNC has defeated Rutgers and Miami on the road and UConn at home and would likely have defeated Virginia Tech if T.J. Yates remained healthy. Give ND credit for improving, but I think we will find out this week that Carolina is the better and more advanced team.

Jake: North Carolina. Maybe the Heels don’t have as far to go, playing in the ACC, but they have looked impressive in Butch Davis’ second season. Charlie Weis definitely has his team on the right track but I think an easier schedule has something to do with that as well. Both teams have had big wins (Rutgers, Miami for UNC, Michigan, Purdue for Notre Dame) that would look good on their resume in recent years but not so much in 2008. Still, I think that’s a testament to these programs that they can win those games handily.

4) If Penn State ends up running the table in the Big Ten, will it face any of the same problems getting into the BCS Championship game that Ohio State would have faced if it was undefeated, or will the fans/media be able to look at the Nittany Lions with the Ohio State situation out of their minds?

Steven: As a conference, the Big Ten has to overcome this notion. Is it fair? No. Each year is a different team. The 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes were not the same squad that took the field in 2006 against Florida. If Penn State continues to win and takes care of business against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State and is undefeated, it will be hard to keep it out of the national title game. We'll have to see how the rest of the year pans out, but things will be very interesting if Penn State and Oklahoma end the year undefeated and Florida claims the SEC title with one loss.

Mitch: Tough question to answer not knowing which other teams Penn State will be jockeying with for a spot in the title game. But to specifically address the question: Yes, I think Penn State will have some hurdles to climb over because of what has happened to Ohio State. It might not be fair, but that is the way it is right now. The best advice I can give Penn State — keep winning by wide margins.

Jake: Yes. I think Penn State is facing those criticisms right now. While the Nittany Lions have thumped some very good teams, that “Big Ten cloud of doubt” will be hanging over their heads all season long. Essentially, they’re just Ohio State feasting on a weak conference schedule in the minds of the masses. I believe voters — right or wrong — would put a one-loss Big 12 and one-loss SEC team in the BCS Championship game before they’d put Penn State there.

5) If the season ended today, who would win your Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back?

Steven: I like what Donald Brown and Javon Ringer have done so far, but I give a slight edge to Brown. Ringer's 212 carries are incredibly impressive, but Brown has notched at least 100 yards in every game and does not have the consistent quarterback Michigan State has. Brown has been the Connecticut offense this season.

Mitch: Probably Javon Ringer. Donald Brown has been great, too, but I love Ringer’s game. It’s impressive how he has been able to carry such a big load after splitting time with Jehuu Caulcrick the past few years. He is such an important part of the Spartans’ offense.

Jake: The two names that stick out are Javon Ringer and Donald Brown because of their insane yardage totals. Ringer has already toted the ball 212 times through six games (35 carries per game!). I’d go with Brown if it ended today though simply because of his consistency. Ringer has topped 200 yards twice and nearly reached the landmark a third time, but he’s rushed for less than 100 yards twice as well. Brown hasn’t rushed for less than 146 yards in a game this season and has 12 TDs to go with it. Two names to watch as the season goes along: Charles Scott, Shonn Greene.

Throughout the season in the weekly five burning questions article, Steven, Mitch and Jake will participate in the Campus Challenge. The rules are simple. Each person picks a quarterback, running back and wide receiver to make up their "team" for the week in an effort to amass as many passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards and total touchdowns as possible. Whoever has the best stats as the end of the year wins. All players selected must be from a BCS conference team and each editor can only use a player once during the season.