The game has been set up like the match of two heavyweight fighters. If you consider the last few major heavyweight fights, this may end much the way that the Orange Bowl did last season, as a major blowout. But there is still hope that the game will be exciting and close. And of course, the winner of this game has probably the biggest boost in their chances for the Rose Bowl this season. Despite my denial of the greatness that is The Ohio State University, I know the sentiments of the voters, and a win against Texas will go a long way towards boosting them towards the top of the rankings.

So, in honor of the big heavyweight fights, let's call in the contenders.

In the red corner, weighing in at #4 in the AP poll, the Buckeyes of Ohio State. The Buckeyes are coming off a brawl with Miami, the Ohio version. Led by fill-in quarterback Justin Zwick, who by the way led them to a huge win in the Alamo Bowl last season, the Buckeyes rattled off 34 points before finally surrendering the zero that Miami had posted on its side of the scoreboard. Zwick was filling in for suspended quarterback Troy Smith who will be back for the game against Texas.

Smith had led the resurrection of the Buckeyes last season. After back to back losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin, Ohio State was reeling. During the Iowa game, Jim Tressel had finally had enough and sent in Smith to replace the bumbling Zwick. Smith led the Buckeyes to their only score during that game and then to three straight wins before falling to Purdue. All was forgiven the next week when Smith defeated arch-rival Michigan. Then the news broke that Smith was taking money on the side from a booster and all bets were off. Troy sat during the Alamo bowl as the previously maligned Zwick led the Buckeyes to a stunning win.

Now, with a quarterback controversy looming, Tressel says that he will play both quarterbacks on Saturday. Tressel will most likely start Zwick to see how the pocket based passer can do, hoping his line can provide him the protection he needs to get the balls to his speedy wide receivers. If that fails, Smith will enter the game and rely on his legs to buy more time to get the ball outside.

Obviously, one of the major targets of the ball will be touted Heisman candidate, Teddy Ginn. Ginn made his very high profile appearance to the nation at-large during the Alamo Bowl last season and it propelled him to name recognition. Ginn's speed will be paired with top receiver Santonio Holmes. Together, they will provide a major headache for the Texas defensive backs, who gave up less than 200 yards passing last week in their opener.

One way to open up the offense for Ohio State will be to have the running game clicking. Antonio Pittman, who was very impressive with his speed in the Buckeye's opener against Miami, will have his hands full going against the tough defensive line of Texas. Their line has consistently been rated in the top 10 units in the country, and for my book, they are the top line this season. Ohio State's offensive line will have its hands full trying to open up holes for Pittman to run through.

Despite the questions about their offense, Ohio State just needs to keep it close, and this will be easy with the strength of their defensive unit. There is probably no better collection of linebackers in the country, led by AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter. Over the middle they will clog up the inside passing game for Texas and help to stunt the runs by clogging holes in the line. Deep, Ohio State is just as good. Ashton Youboty is not only one of the best names in the game, but one of the best cover corners. He tied for the lead in the Big Ten with four interceptions last season, and there is no reason to believe that he won't be even better this season. Look for all this cover alignment across the field to give Vince Young fits.

And in the burnt orange corner, weighing in at #2 in the AP poll with 4 first place votes, the Longhorns of Texas. Texas is riding high after their huge blowout win against the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. The Longhorns stampeded to 60 points in the opener behind the arm of Vince Young and a plethora of running backs.

We all know Vince Young by now. His heroics against Michigan in last year's Rose Bowl have put him on the stage for this year's Heisman battle. Going against the incumbent Matt Leinart won't be easy, but Vince Young doesn't care. His eyes are on the bigger prize, taking out Leinart's USC and winning the second consecutive Rose Bowl for Texas. Young is a threat with his arm and his legs. He came into the 2004 season being known for his running but not his arm. He changed all that with his play last season, showing the nation that he is definitely a dual threat much in the mold of Michael Vick. The difference between Young and Vick is that Young has more weapons around him to go to. Last season, with Cedric Benson behind him, Young was able to open up and ended the season with 1849 yards and 12 passing touchdowns, not to mention the 14 more he got on the ground. Young will have his hands full against Ohio State, trying to find open passing lanes with the crushing defense of Ohio State appearing everywhere that he looks.

Young will therefore have to count on Benson's replacements. Four backs rolled up touchdowns on the ground against UL-Lafayette and Young added one more himself for six total ground scores and a whopping 418 yards. This was mainly due to the awesome play of the Texas line. One of the best squads in the nation, to match with their defensive line, Texas's squad will be looking to open up holes early on to force the Ohio State linebackers to play up and open up the middle for Young to pass into. If Jamaal Charles, last week's leading rusher, can get going, things should get much easier for the Longhorns.

Of course, the Texas defense will also be part of this story. The highly touted defensive line should give Ohio State fits trying to get the ball up the field through the line. The real question will be if the Texas secondary, which returns three starters from last season can contain the speed of Ginn and Holmes. Should they be able to keep up with them, or cover them securely with zone looks, the line should be able to put enough pressure on the quarterbacks to cause problems.

So, in the tale of the tape, who has the edge? The quarterback edge definitely goes to Texas. The rushing edge, given the strength of their line, also goes the Longhorns' way. Receiving core is definitely a strength for the Buckeyes should the quarterbacks be able to get the balls out to them. The defense is a wash, as both of these teams boast some of the top squads you will see on the field. Because of the great defensive play, this game should be close which leans in Ohio State's favor. In addition, they are home, and non-conference foes have a history of having troubles in Columbus. With that, we should give the intangibles to Ohio State.

That gives us two and a half points for each side. My heart leads me to believe that Texas will win this game. They have too much going for them this year to let this early season battle derail them. Still, I can't help this nagging feeling that Buckeyes will find a way to win. Either way, this game should outplay the Orange Bowl last season and something tells me that every football fan will be talking about where they were when it was played. Enjoy the game, football fans.

Now, let's get ready to ...