Who Should Play Ohio State?

 Freshman running back Chris Wells helped the Buckeye's edge Michigan on Saturday.

On Saturday, Ohio State held off a solid Michigan team, 42-39, to secure a spot in the BCS National Title game in January.  There are a few teams that have a shot at playing the Buckeye's for the title.  Let's name each team and why they should be considered.  (By the way, they are not listed from best chance to worst chance, just a list)

1.  Michigan (# 2 in the BCS) -- I can see both sides of the fence here.  Before Michigan played Ohio State on Saturday I felt this was their one chance.  They shouldn't get another.  But watching on Saturday and listening to Craig James and Doug Flutie talk after the game it's hard not to let these two go at it again.  The Wolverines lost to the #1 team in the country on the road and only by 3 points. 

2.  USC (#3) -- The Pac-10 champion.  Other than a loss on the road to a good Oregon State, the Trojan's have completely throttled every team this year.  They dismantled a great California offense, surrendering only 9 points.  USC squashed Arkansas in the first game of the year at Arkansas.  Notre Dame and Arkansas, two good non-conference foes.

3.  Arkansas (#6) -- The best team in the SEC at the moment.  The Razorback's looked absolutely marvelous (as did Darren McFadden) in beating Tennessee last weekend.  Arkansas will have to take care of LSU this weekend at home for a chance to face Florida in the SEC title game.

4.  Florida (#4) -- Beat Auburn on the road, yet barely squeaked by South Carolina at home.  This is the last team I would want to see Ohio State.  Florida State this coming weekend or Arkansas in the SEC title game will make sure they have no shot at OSU.  But if they win the SEC title how do you turn them away?  I know how.  Have you seen their non-conference schedule?  Western Carolina.  That's a good win right there. 

5.  Notre Dame (#5) -- We shouldn't even be talking about the Fighting Irish, yet Lou Holtz seems to think they are the best team this world's ever seen.  Notre Dame was rocked by Michigan earlier this year.  The Golden Domer's should not play the Buckeyes.  Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.  Okay, the Marines don't have a football team, but Notre Dame's schedule stinks.

 Pete Carroll celebrates with his team after beating Cal on Saturday night.

Personally, I would like to see USC play Ohio State.  I understand Michigan played Ohio State better than any other team this year, but I'd like to see somebody else get a chance.  USC, in my mind, is the only other team that might be able to stick with the Buckeye's.  Then again, in the next few weeks the answer will probably be made on the field.