THE questions have run rampant across the nation since early last Friday, say about 12:25 a.m. As soon as USC lost at Oregon State – and then Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin followed suit about 40 hours later – the national championship was reopen for discussion.
Who’s in? Who’s out? Who knows? Perhaps, the right question – as we speak here on Oct. 2 – is this: Who cares?
At least that’s the stance taken by Ohio State’s Jim Tressel. You remember, the coach who’s landed in the last two BCS title games? He’s watched teams come and go from the national picture, including his own. He’s watched the upsets, the bounce-backs, you name it.
So don’t ask him about the shakedown this week. It’s too early. Don’t ask him about whether or not his No. 12 Buckeyes (4-1) are “back in it.” Whether they are or not – we clearly believe the former – he doesn’t care.
“That’s probably why there are upsets because people talk in September about whether they’re in the national championship picture,” Tressel said. “You better be in the picture that’s in that frame right now, and the one that’s in the frame right now is Wisconsin.”
Which won’t be easy. Saturday night, in Madison, against the No. 17 Badgers (3-1), who are coming off a 27-25 collapse at Michigan last week.
But, in addition to liking Tressel’s attitude, we also like his talent in this spot. The Buckeyes’ skill positions have righted themselves, with Terrelle Pryor at quarterback and Beanie Wells at running back. On defense, his bunch – that takes such a national beating for not being able to handle speed – can finally focus on a slower, straight-ahead, smash-mouth attack.
And then, quite simply, there’s the Tressel factor. On the road, in conference, over the last two years, his teams are 8-0. The Buckeyes won every one of those by at least seven points.
“They’re a 4-1 football team,” Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said, “that’s improved in every game that they’ve played in.”
We say that continues. Ohio State (-11/2) is the pick.
TONIGHT
Pitt (+131/2) over S. FLORIDA: The Bulls have been shaky against the number, and Dave Wannstedt’s crew seems to take advantage of national stages, like at Morgantown last year.
SATURDAY
N.C. STATE (+9) over Boston College: We expect Tom O’Brien to hang with his former club. The Wolfpack are rebuilding, yes. But you can’t argue with that schedule, having already played South Carolina, Clemson, East Carolina, and South Florida. They’re battle-tested.
PURDUE (+13) over Penn St.: The secondary, Penn State’s lone weakness, could be exposed enough for the home team to sneak out a cover.
W. VIRGINIA (-131/2) over Rutgers: Mountaineers tuned up vs. Marshall, now can go about regaining some Big East respect.
Florida (-241/2) over ARKANSAS: Not crazy about the chalk, but it’s hard to take Bobby Petrino’s bunch against anyone these days.
Kansas (-121/2) over IOWA STATE: Too much talent on the Jayhawks’ offense for the Cyclones. Mark Mangino’s crew, off a bye week, will be ready.
BAYLOR (+261/2) over Oklahoma: Crazy, we know. But the Bears can score in bunches, and the No. 1 Sooners may be content to get a win, get home, and get ready for Texas.
Stanford (+7) over NOTRE DAME: Oregon State stole the Cardinal’s upset mojo last week, defeating USC. Jim Harbaugh – and his imposing running game – can get a little of it back here.
Illinois (+21/2) over MICHIGAN: The Illini can spread things around the Big House, something Wisconsin couldn’t do last week.
Kentucky (+161/2) over ALABAMA: Take nothing from the Tide, the nation’s most-talked-about team. They just might be due for a slight SEC letdown, like LSU, Florida and Georgia last week.
Texas Tech (-71/2) over KANSAS ST.: The Big 12’s forgotten team got a big boost with the upsets, all the way up to No. 7. The Red Raiders need to run it up to stay there.
USC (-161/2) over Oregon: The Trojans, coming off their last two losses, have won by an average of 26.5 points. They only need this one by 17.
Texas (-131/2) over COLORADO: Weary of a lookahead, with Oklahoma on deck. But the Longhorns have too much offense for a Buffs’ defense that allowed 39 last week to anemic Florida State.
Missouri (-101/2) over NEBRASKA: The Cornhuskers, too, showed little defense vs. Virginia Tech last week. This week, is a whole different animal. Tigers, to be precise, who are quicker and more lethal than Hokies.
OFF THE GRID
Rice (+14) over TULSA: With the over-under set at 80, should be some shootout. We’ll take the points, and the team that’s played a tougher schedule.
UCLA (-17) over Washington State: Wins haven’t been easy to come by for Rick Neuheisel. This one should be.
Last week: 6-9 Overall, 1-2 Best Bets, 1-2 Off The Grid. Season: 36-37-1, 5-10, 4-5-1.
tsullivan@nypost.com