What we learned on television

There's a lot on Ted Kim's agenda this weekend, so we'll make it an express edition.

Analysts will say all week that Vanderbilt is "the real deal" following their upset win of Auburn. No doubt the Commodores are a gritty, scrappy team with talent. But make no mistake: Auburn lost the game because of poor offensive playcalling. The Tigers ran wild in the first half behind bruising RB Ben Tate, rushing him 21 times. In the second half, Auburn called Tate's number just six times. Coach Tommy Tuberville said afterward that the team was in catchup mode and needed to pass. That's hogwash: Vanderbilt was up by one point. They won 14-13. Still, kudos to Vandy, which beat the Tigers for the first time since 1955.

Speaking of Vandy, the Commodores' upset was one of several games predicted to a tee by The Crystal Ball... (see: Ohio State over Wisconsin with QB Terrelle Pryor making the difference; and blowouts by Texas Tech, Texas, Missouri and USC.) There also was this Crystal Ball classic, which was pretty much as wrong as it gets:

"Florida State at Miami. The Seminole defense is an elite unit. So is Miami's. Which will give in first? Both offenses will struggle, but Miami will have a tad more success in moving the ball than Florida State. The Hurricanes win in a low-scoring affair." (The Seminoles won in a 41-39 shootout.)

Quick Notre Dame Note: It's clear that Notre Dame is getting better, but I'm still not convinced they can compete against the better teams. We'll find out how far the Irish come when they travel to Chapel Hill Saturday to play a vastly improved North Carolina team.

If I were a Wall Street man, I'd shortsell: Penn State. We all know they're solid, but all of this "national championship" talk makes me wary. Their Spread HD offense struggled mightily against Purdue (Purdue!). Moreover, the team is preparing to run the gauntlet by playing at Wisconsin, Michigan and at Ohio State.

Someone stop him from getting any better: N.C. State QB Russell Wilson. I foresee this young freshman becoming a Michael Vick-like unstoppable force one day. He was impressive Saturday against a stout B.C. defense, throwing for over 200 yards and a touchdown and scrambling repeatedly out of trouble.

Someone stop them from getting any worse: North Texas. Nothing quite epitomizes the word "suck" like being down to Florida International at halftime by four scores. North Texas lost 42-10.

Tears in Winter Award: Chicago Cubs fans. Ugh, what an utter flameout after so much promise this season. Final diagnosis: Good pitching, good hitting, poor defense. The D made all the difference. (See: How the Red Sox are winning.)

Overrated: Kansas, BYU, South Florida.

Underrated: Missouri offense (They are absolutely unstoppable. I saw it with my own eyes.)

Fine Nine: Oklahoma, USC, Alabama, Texas, LSU, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Penn State.