TV: ESPN

ZC: It’s a nice feeling being able to legitimately say the Spartans are going to win Saturday. Pittsburgh presents the toughest opponent MSU has faced this season, but picking the Spartans to win is certainly more stylish than Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt’s mustache. While the Panthers might be looking for revenge, they have important missing parts with quarterback Bill Stull and wide receiver Derek Kinder hurt. Ultimately, MSU is a more balanced team and will head to South Bend, Ind., next week undefeated. MSU 34, Pitt 23

JS: Pittsburgh’s rush attack will give the Spartan’s primary line of defense – their first true test – but so far MSU has been impeccable at gobbling up their opponents’ ground game. Unlike last week, don’t expect seven sacks in this game. Pitt has some bruisers on their offensive line. MSU 17, Pitt 10

EF: The schedule keeps on getting more difficult for the Spartans, but this year’s team is already better than last year’s, albeit only two games into the season. Look for the Spartans to win this game the same way they’ve won the past two – by wearing down their opponent with a power running game. MSU 27, Pitt 19

GB: The Spartans keep getting better, and they need to because the competition keeps getting tougher. MSU 31, Pitt 20

Notre Dame at Michigan

Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

TV: ABC

ZC: In a battle of winless powerhouses, true freshmen quarterbacks, porous defenses and devastated fanbases, this game will be decided by one man – Michigan running back Mike Hart. The boisterous back has already guaranteed victory for Maize and Blue (he stopped short of guaranSHEEDing it, though), and it will be up to him whether or not he looks like a fool (although he already defined “fool” by declining to go pro after last year). Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis will probably attempt to frustrate Hart early by stacking up against the run, which means another home defeat for the Blue boys. ND 20, Michigan 14

JS: This feels kind of like voting for the presidential nominees of 2004. U-M would probably be George W. Bush, as they are incumbent leaders in the Big Ten from last year, but I would never vote for them to win a game at this point. The Fighting Irish love to go back and forth between success and mediocrity, so they’re the obvious John Kerry. My vote goes to the lesser of the two losers. ND 24, U-M 7

EF: The funniest part of this game is that following it, one of the nation’s most storied college football teams will be 0-3. I’m going to take a minute here and just think about how hilarious that will be. U-M running back Mike Hart guaranteed a win. Here’s to hoping he eats his words and shuts up for awhile. ND 17, U-M 13

GB: Somebody’s got to win. ND 24, Mich 20

No. 10 Ohio State at Washington

Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

ZC: Ohio State struggled to score against Akron, while the Huskies defeated a ranked Boise State team and clobbered Syracuse. Washington has one of the tougher schedules in college football, but head coach Ty Willingham will have his Pac-10 team ready to devour its Big Ten opponent. Washington 27, Ohio State 17

JS: Washington picked off three passes in the process of snapping then-No. 22 Boise State’s 14-game win streak. Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman threw two picks against Akron and struggled to get the offense going. Ohio State’s young quarterback will have to learn how to cope with adversity real quick after this loss. Washington 20, Ohio State 10

EF: If there’s one thing we know about the Big Ten so far this season, it’s that the conference isn’t all that great. Ohio State looked rather sluggish in its first two games and who could blame them after losing Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Look for Washington to give another reason for football fans to rip the Big Ten. Washington 26, Ohio State 13

GB: How could I pick against great former Spartans like Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham and his assistant Charlie Baggett. Washington 27, Ohio State 24

No. 1 USC at No. 14 Nebraska

Saturday at 8 p.m.

TV: ABC

ZC: While the Cornhuskers barely escaped defeat to unranked Wake Forest last week, that scare won’t be able to inject enough urgency into the home team. The Trojans are simply too strong and won’t be denied victory. USC 34, Nebraska 20

JS: USC’s bye week gave them a lot of time to game plan this one, and they will be fully rested. Nebraska, on the other hand, fought a battle against Wake Forest last Saturday. I simply just don’t see USC getting their first and possibly only loss this early in the season. USC 45, Nebraska 21

EF: I think this will be somewhat of a test for No. 1-ranked USC, especially on the road in a hostile environment, but good teams find a way to win big games. The Trojans haven’t really proven anything yet, but look at this game as a step on their way to showing everyone that they’re better than good. USC 34, Nebraska 17

GB: The Trojans are No. 1 – their talent will prevail. USC 37, Nebraska 27