Ohio State:

Ohio State began its new era with a 42-0 whooping of Akron. Despite missing eight suspended players (and Terrelle Pryor who now plays for the Oakland Raiders), the Buckeyes showed no signs of letdown, holding the Zips to just 90 yards of total offense and dominating in every stat category.

Now, before we get too carried away, let’s remember that Akron went 1-11 last season and was predicted to finish last in the Mid-American Conference again this season. This was not a team returning a junior third-year starter at quarterback and a Biletnikoff award candidate at receiver. Michigan has its own Akron on the schedule two weeks from now when it  hosts Eastern Michigan, who incidentally, is predicted to finish higher in the MAC than Akron.

The main question Ohio State faced heading into the game was at the quarterback position. Senior Joe Bauserman got the start and performed admirably, completing 12-of-16 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran six times for 32 yards and a touchdown. He’s no Pryor, but that’s probably a good thing for Ohio State fans, as he fits the mold of the classic OSU quarterback like Joe Germaine or Craig Krenzel. He doesn’t have the flashy athleticism but he doesn’t make the bad mistakes either.

Sophomore Carlos Hyde led the way on the ground with 19 carries for 93 yards, while tight end Jake Stoneburner caught all three of the touchdown passes, becoming the first Buckeye tight end ever to do so.

This Saturday, Ohio State should get a slightly tougher test when it hosts Toledo. The Rockets are the MAC favorite with 16 returning starters and a talented receiver in Eric Page.

Next: Saturday vs. Toledo – 12pm on Big Ten Network

Michigan State:

Michigan State also rolled over its opponent, Youngstown State, which finished last season 3-8. After a slow start, the Spartans got going early in the second quarter with a six-yard touchdown run by Larry Caper. However, the Penguins answered with a 10-yard touchdown pass of their own , but the extra point was blocked.

MSU got a 3-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell on the next drive and took a 14-6 lead into halftime.

In the second half, senior quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with B.J. Cunningham on an 18-yard touchdown pass, and the Spartans capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter with another 3-yard touchdown run by Bell.

Sparty didn’t look great, but did just enough to beat a MAC bottom-feeder comfortably. Cousins was an efficient 18-for-22 for 222 yards and a touchdown. Edwin Baker led the team in rushing with 15 carries for 91 yards, while Cunningham caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.

State committed eight penalties in the game, gave up a fumble, and converted just three of seven third downs. Needless to say, it was never a game in doubt, but it also wasn’t the type of effort that will leave opponents shaking in their boots.

Next: Saturday v. Florida Atlantic – 12pm on ESPN2

Notre Dame: Lost to South Florida 23-20

Michigan’s next opponent, Notre Dame, turned in an extremely disappointing performance on Saturday in a 23-20 loss to South Florida. Similar to Michigan’s rain-soaked contest, this game was delayed twice due to lightning, but it had to finish because ND wasn’t going to call it a loss and it was still close enough to be anybody’s ballgame.

The Irish looked great for the first seven plays of the game, marching right down the field to the 1-yard line. While ND fans were licking their chops and already thinking of booking their trips to New Orleans, Jonas Gray fumbled the next carry and South Florida returned it 96 yards for a touchdown.

It didn’t get any better for ND from there as SFU hit field goals on three of its first four offensive possessions (the other was as missed 52-yard field goal) and held the Irish offense to virtually nothing.

ND head coach Brian Kelly replaced starting quarterback Dayne Crist at halftime with sophomore Tommy Rees, who was pretty effective in leading the Irish back into the game. Rees completed 24-of-34 passes for 296 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

Perhaps the biggest story coming out of the loss was Kelly’s outrage towards his players, which was captured on TV many times over, and now he has a quarterback dilemma on his hands heading into the big matchup under the lights this weekend.

Despite Notre Dame’s poor performance against South Florida, I’m still very leery of writing them off. Rees seems to be the best option at quarterback, and with receiver Michael Floyd out wide, the Irish have the weapons to score. Additionally, the Irish defense didn’t give up a touchdown on Saturday and allowed a measly three yards per carry.

Next: Saturday at Michigan – 8pm on ESPN