Darron Cummings / AP

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn will be dueling USC's John David Booty, not Matt Leinart, on Saturday.

Q: If you’re Ohio State, which team would you most/least like to face in the title game?
— Paul from San Diego

A: Let me slip on my scarlet-and-gray sweater vest, Paul, and give that some thought.

Hmmmmm. Actually, that’s easy.

If I’m Jim Tressel, I don’t want to see Michigan again. Let’s flash back to 1996. No. 2 Florida State has just beaten No. 1 Florida 24-21 in a mega-game in Tallahassee. The Seminoles are one step away from a national title. But after a series of crazy circumstances, the Seminoles are forced into a Sugar Bowl rematch against Florida. What happens? Florida dominates, 52-20. Nobody remembers the mega-game or Florida State’s 11-0 regular season.

Ohio State shouldn’t have to beat Michigan twice to win a national title. That’s an unfair circumstance, particularly in a rivalry game of that magnitude. Ohio State already proved it was the better team.

If I’m Jim Tressel, I wouldn’t mind playing Florida. A few things must happen (USC loses to Notre Dame, Florida wins out and somehow jumps Notre Dame and Michigan in the polls). After seeing the Buckeyes and Gators play in person, there’s one undeniable conclusion. Ohio State is a cut above. Florida is beaten up on both sides of the ball and has lacked offensive continuity in the last month. If the Gators win the SEC and wind up in the Sugar Bowl, that’s a superb second season for Coach Urban Meyer. If the right chips fall and Florida winds up in the BCS Championship Game against Ohio State, it could get ugly.

I think we’re headed for Ohio State vs. USC, which sounds fair and just about right.

Unless, of course, there are more upsets. Stay tuned.

Q: Is USC wide receiver Steve Smith the most underrated player in the country?
— Paul from San Diego

A: I hadn’t really thought of it in those terms, Paul. I mean, a skill-position player from USC being regarded as underrated on a national level? But really, you might have a point.

Smith has been somewhat flying under the radar since he arrived at USC. He’s more steady than spectacular. And he always has been operating in the shadow of a more celebrated receiver. First, Mike Williams. Then, Dwayne Jarrett.

Even Smith’s best career day – a 258-yard effort at Oregon State, 2 yards off the school record and the eighth-best performance in Pac-10 history – was overshadowed (by a stunning loss to the Beavers) on Oct. 28.

Most underrated player in the country? I’d hesitate to slap that label on Smith because he’s always playing in meaningful games for a high-profile program in a huge media market. There are dozens of terrific players in smaller conferences who would love to be receiving the attention given to Smith.

Q: Who’s going to emerge this weekend as Georgia Tech’s foe in the ACC title game? How much credit does Chan Gailey, bouncing back from a heart attack in the offseason, deserve for the Yellow Jackets’ success?
— Ed from Portland, Ore.

A: I still like Wake Forest to win the ACC Atlantic Division, Ed, meaning a trip to Jacksonville and a date with Georgia Tech in the league’s championship game. What a story it would be. Just to summarize, if Wake wins at Maryland on Saturday, the Demon Deacons are in. Boston College gets in by beating Miami and having Wake lose to Maryland. Meanwhile, Maryland gets in by beating Wake and having Boston College lose to Miami.

Confused yet?

Well, shift to the ACC Coastal. Georgia Tech has been solid (except for a disastrous night at Clemson) throughout the season.

We give major credit to Chan Gailey, who clearly has this program moving in the right direction. The Yellow Jackets used to tap out at mediocre, but now they’re on the cusp of accomplishing something really special (beating Georgia would be a major exclamation point).

Georgia Tech has a special player (WR Calvin Johnson), a quarterback (Reggie Ball) who’s playing with improved consistency and a defense that causes constant problems.

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After Notre Dame's Blue and Gold game, it appears to be a three-way race for the starting QB position. Keith Arnold breaks down this race and each area of the offense as he projects the opening day starting lineup.

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