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Mascot: Ducks
Stadium: Autzen Stadium (54,000)
Coach: Chip Kelly (1st year at Oregon and overall, 10-2)
2008 Record: 10-3 (Defeated Oklahoma State in Holiday Bowl, 42-31)
2009 Record: 10-2
Base Offense: Spread
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 49; Lost - 20
Returning Starters: Offense - 4, Defense - 5, Specialists - 1
Returning Stars: QB Jeremiah Masoli; DE Will Tukuafu

Notable Alumni:

- Ann Curry: Anchor, The Today Show
- Steve Prefontaine, long distance runner
- Norm Van Brocklin, Hall of Fame quaterback
- David Ogden Stiers, actor of MASH fame
- Norv Turner, Head Coach, San Diego Chargers
- Mary Decker, long distance runner
- Mark Few, head basketball coach, Gonzaga
- Peter Jacobson, pro golfer
- John Madden, former football coach and TV color commentator

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Oregon Overview:

After a slow start out of the gate, the Ducks have become one of the hottest teams in college football. Their quick paced brand of offense combined with the explosive talent of Masoli and James, have made the Ducks a media favorite this year. Everyone enjoys seeing a team that can put up points, and Oregon can definitely do that.   
 
 
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Drew Thurman (11:10 pm)

The matchup everyone is anticipating in the Rose Bowl is Oregon's offense versus the Buckeye defense. The Ohio State defense has shut opponents down all season long, and comes into the game the 5th ranked defense in the country. The Ducks on the other side are averaging 424.7 yards and 37.7 points per game. While the Buckeye defense shouldn't be disrespected by anyone for what they have done this season (and they have been on many Oregon websites), fans do have to be honest in saying this team has not faced an offense like that of the Ducks.

Rather than spend tons of time talking about what either team has previously accomplished this season though, I want to take a look at what the defense needs to do to slow down the Oregon offense. It starts by understanding exactly what they do.

Chip Kelly and the Ducks, like all users of the spread offense, like to use the whole field to their advantage. That way they stretch the defenders out, and put pressure on each individual. What makes Oregon tougher to defend is their execution of the read option. This is a run first option, like that of Florida, which will throw tons of different looks at the defense. 
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (11:45 am)

Mascot: Wolverine (AKA "Skunk Bear")
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (106,201)
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (2nd year at Michigan, 8-15; overall D-1, 68-41)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 5-6
Base Offense: Spread
Base Defense: 3-4
Letterman: Returning - 50; Lost - 20
Returning Starters: Offense - 10, Defense - 5, Specialists - 1
Returning Stars: RB Brandon Minor, DE Brandon Graham (pictured)

Notable Alumni:

- Mike Wallace: Host of 60 Minutes
- Barry Larkin: former Cincinnati Red shortstop, 1995 NL MVP
- Branch Rickey: former owner of Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson
- Larry Paige: co-founder of Google
- Tom Brady: former QB and two-time Superbowl MVP
- Edward Wright: Astronaut; first American to walk in space
- Michael Phelps: Olympic swimmer with 14 career gold medals
- Gerald Ford: 38th President of the United States
- Theodore Kaczynski: The Unabomber

Cheerleading Scouting Report:

For the sake of all parties involved we will skip this section this week, because the sight is too gruesome! 

Michigan Overview:

After a 4-0 start, including an upset of Notre Dame, everyone in Ann Arbor was drinking the Rich Rodriguez Kool-Aid. Things haven't been pretty since the early surge though, as the Wolverines have only one win against Delaware State (and no Big Ten victories since a win against IU 36-33 in week four). Their troubles haven't been because of a lack of offensive output though. They average 31.3 points per game to go along with 391 yards a game. When was the last you heard of a 5-6 team with those sorts of numbers? 
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (11:56 am)

Mascot: Hawkeyes
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (11th year at Iowa, 79-54 overall, 1-5 vs. OSU)
2008 Record: 9-4 (Defeated South Carolina in Outback Bowl , 31-10)
2009 Record: 9-1
Base Offense: "I" Formation
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 49; Lost - 22
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 8, Specialists - 2
Returning Stars: LB Pat Angerer, S Tyler Sash

Notable Alumni:

- Tom Arnold, actor from Roseanne
- Tom Brokaw, TV anchor and author
- Bret Bielema, football coach, Wisconsin
- Dallas Clark, tight end, Indianapolis Colts
- George Gallup, founder of the Gallup poll
- Don Nelson, NBA player and coach
- Ashton Kutcher, actor

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Iowa Overview:

As much as the Buckeyes have felt snakebitten by injuries this season, the Hawkeyes have even more reason to complain. Before the season even started, their starting running back Jewel Hampton was lost for the season. Iowa moved on without him though, and found a star in redshirt freshman Adam Robinson. They would also lose him for the season after being injured against Michigan State. Then Ricky Stanzi went down in the first half against Northwestern last week, and all those injuries finally caught up with the Hawkeyes as they lost 17-10 to Northwestern. Their dreams of going to a National Championship were crushed after a 9-0 start.
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (12:40 pm)

Mascot: Nittany Lions
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282)
Head Coach: Joe Paterno (44th year at PSU, 391-128-3; vs OSU 8-12)
2008 Record: 11-2 (Lost to USC in Rose Bowl 38-24)
2009 Record: 8-1
Base Offense: Ace (3 Wide Receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 37; Lost - 20
Returning Starters: Offense - 5, Defense - 4, Specialists - 1
Returning Stars: QB Daryll Clark; RB Evan Royster; LB Sean Lee

Notable Alumni:

-Lisa Salters, ESPN reporter
-Adam McKay, Screenwriter and director of Anchorman and Talladega Nights
-Herman Fisher, Co-founder of Fisher-Price toy company
-John Cappalletti, Heisman Trophy winning RB
-Mike Scioscia, MLB catcher and manager
-Franco Harris, NFL Hall of Fame running back
-Joseph Heller, Author of Catch-22

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Penn State Overview:

Saturday's game between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes was hyped as the game that would decide the Big Ten Champion before the season started. While this game will not necessarily decide that because Iowa is in the mix, it still has massive Big Ten implications. One would expect that this game is going to feature two of the nation's top defenses, and should be low scoring in nature. With that said, both teams do have talent on the offensive side of the ball, especially Penn State, who is very underrated as an offensive unit. They have played a pretty easy schedule thus far, but are still averaging 429 yards a game and 30 points a game. So yes, Penn State can put up points!
 
 
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Seth Smith is averaging 87.9 yards a game // Photo via nmstatesports.com
Dave and Drew Thurman (11:12 am)

Mascot: Aggies
Stadium: Aggie Memorial Stadium (30, 343)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 3-5
Head Coach: DeWayne Walker (first year at NMSU, 3-5)
Letterman Returning: 44 (21 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 5, Defense - 5, Specialist - 1
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Multiple Formations
Returning Stars: WR Marcus Anderson, LB Jason Scott

Notable Alumni:

Well, there aren't really any recognizable names on this list, so instead we are printing the words to their fight song which is unique to say the least:

Aggies, Oh Aggies
the hills send back the cry
we're to do or die!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
we'll win this game or know the reason why!
And when we win this game
we'll buy a keg of booze
and we'll drink it to the Aggies 'til we wobble in our shoes
A-G-G-I-E-S!
Aggies, Aggies, Go Aggies!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
the hills send back the cry
we're here to do or die!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
we'll win this game or know the reason why!

New Mexico State Overview:

Coming into the season the Aggies were expected to be bottom feeders in the WAC, and they have not disappointed. They have not beaten a quality opponent yet, and are coming off two crushing defeats to Louisiana Tech (45-7) and Fresno State (34-3). As you can expect based on those games, offense has been a struggle. The Aggies are averaging 13.2 points a game compared to their opponents' 28, and are only averaging 254.2 yards per game. 
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (12:03 pm)

Mascot: Golden Gophers
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,000)
2008 Record: 7-6 (Lost to Kansas 42-21 in Insight Bowl)
2009 Record: 4-3
Head Coach: Tim Brewster (3rd year at Minnesota, 12-20)
Letterman Returning: 54 (21 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 9, Defense - 8, Specialists - 0
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Ace (3 Wideouts)
Returning Stars: QB Adam Weber, WR Eric Decker (pictured)

Notable Alumni:

Bob Dylan - Singer/Songwriter
Hubert H. Humphrey - Former U.S. Vice President
Jessica Lange - Actress
Tony Dungy - NFL Player and Coach
Tom Lehman - PGA Golfer
Dave Winfield - MLB Hall of Famer
Kevin McHale - NBA Player
Yanni - Grammy-nominated pianist and composer

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Minnesota Overview:

Tim Brewster and company head into Columbus this Saturday, coming off a crushing 20-0 defeat at Penn State. Much like the Buckeyes on the other side of the ball, the Gophers are trying to get themselves established on the offensive. Against Penn State they would only put up 138 total yards, and really struggled trying to get the running game going. This has been a trend all year for Brewster's squad, and the offense has not looked sharp in the team's biggest games. In fact, they are being outgained on the ground and through the air by their opponents. Not a very positive sign for a winning team.
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (9:40 AM)

Mascot: Boilermakers
Stadium: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500)
Coach: Danny Hope (first year at Purdue, 1-5)
2008 record: 4-8
Base Offense: Ace (3 wide recivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Lettermen: Returning - 49; Lost 19
Returning Starters: Offense - 5; Defense - 7; Specialists - 2
Returning Stars: WR Keith Smith; DE Ryan Kerrigan

Notable Alumni:

Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon
Charles Ellis, designer of the Golden Gate Bridge
Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
John Wooden, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach
Bob Griese, Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback; sportscaster
Orville Redenbacher, entrepreneur of popcorn fame
Jim Gaffigan, comedian and actor
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (11:19 am)

Mascot: Badgers
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (80,321)
2008 Record: 7-6 (Lost to Florida State 42-13 in Champs Sports Bowl)
2009 Record: 5-0 (#25 in USA Today coaches poll)
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (4th year at Wisconsin, 33-11)
Letterman Returning: 42 (18 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 5, Specialists - 2
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Power I (often with 2 TE's)
Returning Stars: TB John Clay, DE O'Brian Schofield

Notable Alumni:

Elroy Hirsch - Hall of Fame NFL Player
Ron Dayne - Heisman Trophy Winning RB
Curl Lambeau - Hall of fame NFL player and coach, co-founder of Packers
Frank Lloyd Wright - Architect
Tom Wopat - Luke on Dukes of Hazzard
Charles Lindbergh - Aviator
William S. Harley - Founder of Harley-Davidson

Wisconsin Overview:

Bielema was on hot seat coming into 2009, and his Badgers have answered the call with a 5-0 record. They have been challenged though, and outside of the Wofford game every game has been tight. In fact while they are averaging 35 points a game, their opponents are averaging 24.6 points a game. Pretty small window of margin for a undefeated team.
 
 
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Dave and Drew Thurman (11:54 am)

Mascot: Hoosiers
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (52,692)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Bill Lynch (3rd year at IU, 13-16; 17th year overall, 94-83-3)
Letterman Returning: 49 (23 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 9, Specialists -1
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Pistol
Returning Stars: DE Jamie Kirlew; DE Greg Middleton

Notable Alumni:

Dick Enberg - Sportscaster
Ernie Pyle - Award winning WWII journalist
Mark Spitz - Swimmer (won 7 gold medals in '72 Olympics)
Jane Pauley - TV journalist
Jeff Sagarin - Creator of Sagarin rating system for college sports
Isaiah Thomas - NBA Hall of Famer, coach, and owner
Mark Cuban - Entrepreneur; owner of Dallas Mavericks

Indiana Overview:

The Hoosiers have actually started off with some momentum this season (3-1), and have already matched their win total from a year ago. Their non-conference schedule was pretty pathetic, though their near upset in Ann Arbor a week ago did raise some eyebrows. The big difference is that Indiana's offense seems to be performing better every single week. In fact, their offense put almost a hundred more yards up against the Wolverines last week. I realize that Michigan plays very soft "D," but the 467 yards the Hoosiers gained was pretty impressive.