COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Maryland at West Virginia

This game may provide an answer to the question of whether or not West Virginia is a legitimate top 5 team in 2006. Coach Rich Rodriguez has built a great offense since returning to his alma mater from Clemson. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton are already stars and they're both just beginning their sophomore campaigns. In fact, Slaton is widely considered a real Heisman candidate. West Virginia beat Georgia in last year's Sugar Bowl after jumping out to a big lead. Though they barely hung on, that win provided a lot of credibility to this upstart team in my eyes. The problem remains that they play in the weak Big East Conference. That's why non-conference games like this one are so important to WVU. Not only must they win, they are expected to dominate at home.

On the other hand, Maryland is a declining program of late. Coach Ralph Friedgen has accomplished a lot since arriving from Georgia Tech, including winning the ACC in 2002. Unlike Rodriguez, however, the Fridge hasn't been able to generate much offense in recent years. And 1st round NFL draft pick TE Vernon Davis is now gone. Much of the blame has been due to poor play at QB. Let's see if QB Sam Hollenbach looks any better than his predecessors tonight.

My pick: West Virginia. On paper, this shouldn't be close. But in facing an ACC school, this could be one of the Mountaineers' best tests on their soft schedule. Let's see if the Terrapins are up to the challenge.

My man Tucker Carlson was the 1st contestant eliminated from the new Dancing With The Stars last night. I knew he should have worn the bow tie. So in his honor, here is past contestant Stacy Keibler looking much better and showing off those famous legs.