Multimedia motivation
When Peter Warrick returned from the ACC Media Day, he brought back a gift for his buddies on Florida State's superb defense: a CD-ROM produced by Georgia Tech highlighting the talents of QB Joe Hamilton.

Meant as a promotional aid in the Ham-for-Heisman campaign, the disc has instead provided the 'Noles with extra motivation. They say they will not allow anyone to build an awards campaign on beating them. The FSU defenders know Warrick is also a serious candidate, and will do what they can to prevent Hamilton from becoming a front runner.

The last two years, Tech's exciting QB has been knocked out of the FSU game, the same fate so many opposing QBs suffered. When he was hit after delivering a completion and forced out with a hip pointer last season, Tech was at midfield, trailing 10-7. Final score: FSU, 34-7. The 'Noles have been reminded often of the best drive any opponent put together in years: Tech's 18-play TD drive that chewed up almost the first ten minutes of that game. They've turned that into another rallying cry.

Rarely does an ACC opponent get FSU's "A-plus" effort, the kind usually reserved for the Gators and Hurricanes. North Carolina felt that heat a couple years ago. Tech will get a taste Saturday night. I'm not sure the 'Noles will march all over the field themselves, but I'd be shocked if Tech's "fastest team ever" can score enough to hang close to the end.

After this game, we'll know a lot more.

ACC anemia
This is not a good conference for offense right now, beyond the Seminoles and Jackets. Heck, it's downright terrible. All of FSU's remaining conference opponents will be horribly overmatched on offense.

I watched the Virginia-North Carolina game and saw little reason to believe either side could put together a drive against FSU. The Heels almost won despite a 10-for-28 game from Curry, who created most of the few positive plays with improvisation. The Cavs have QB issues and you can't just beat the Noles by pounding the ground game.

Clemson was inept against Marshall. You like their chances against the 'Noles, even with a month to tune up? NC State has the worst offense of any ranked team in history. True, the Pack played South Carolina in a monsoon. But the Gamecocks at least showed the ability to move the ball, even if they did cough up six fumbles.

NC State was punchless. The offense now has less than 300 yards in TWO GAMES and has driven for one touchdown. It's mind-blowing that they are in both polls, even though it's very tough to find enough quality teams to put in the final five slots! The Pack's Special Teams are ranked No. 1: four punts blocked, yielding three TDs and a safety.

Take it from the top
I'm with Bobby right now -- my AP Top 5 has FSU at third. Didn't much like the way they played against Lousiana Tech.

1. Tennessee. Not at all surprised Wyoming put up a fight until QB Jay Stoner got hurt. The Vols unleashed a huge wave of talented athletes the final three quarters. Leaving Tee Martin and Jamal Lewis in to score a last-minute TD in an 18-point game raises eyebrows, but Fulmer has had the party line ready all summer: The BCS formula forces coaches into winning as convincingly as possible out of "loyalty" to their programs. Sad, but there's a lot of truth, especially when you are ranked behind FSU and Penn State, both capable of running the table. It's not likely, but they're both capable.

2. Penn State. Akron was a laughable scrimmage. Pitt won't be much more of a test. Trip to Miami will be.

3. Florida State. Can the running game (about half its yards vs. La Tech came on reverses) find itself?

4. Nebraska. Can't tell much yet about the Huskers' defense. Iowa was too inept to be a fair barometer.

5. Michigan. Wolves have done more to deserve a high ranking than either Texas A&M or Florida. Don't mark down visit to rebuilding Syracuse as an automatic "W" by any means, though. And, if the Gators get past Tennessee, they'll find a spot in the Top 5, don't worry.

Role reversal
Do you realize that this is only the third time in the series' 71 year history that Purdue enters the Notre Dame game ranked above the Irish? It's the first time since 1980! Purdue is also a slight favorite -- another extremely rare occurrence, since N-D has been at least a TD favorite in each meeting since the late '80s.

It's a sign of respect for Joe Tiller's program in Year Three and a recognition of the fact that Purdue is 11-1 at home the last two years. The lone loss was a woodshed beating from Penn State.

Of course, the Boilers have faced very few quality teams at Ross-Ade recently. This year, the home edge will be tested by the Irish, Michigan State, Penn State, and Wisconsin.

Notre Dame played with heart, but not brains Saturday. Penalties ... numerous drive-killing dropped passes ... five option pitches that hit the turf ... you get the idea. So much for the "extra game" helping execution. After all the complaining by Lloyd Carr, Michigan looked much sharper than the visitors.

Games to watch
Besides the two mentioned above, the most intriguing game of the week might be: Miami (Ohio) at West Virginia. Huh? Check it out: the RedHawks have a real good chance to beat a second straight major conference team on the road, and continue a march into a battle of unbeatens Oct. 2, when the host the best team from the state of West Virginia, Marshall. Miami's 28-3 win at Northwestern wasn't as lopsided as the score. Randy Walker's new team killed itself with turnovers, a punt block, and a missed field goal. But the RedHawks did showcase a nice pass rush (essential against WVU's Mark Bulger), and showed offensive balance and a big play threat.

This is a team to watch for, and not just because Travis Prentice will break Ricky Williams' career rushing TD mark later this season (he's No. 3 all-time now). Miami has won 11 of 13 on the road (remember the stunners at Virginia Tech and North Carolina?) Besides, the crowd Saturday at Morgantown will be a subpar 50,000 at best, I'm told.

The only previous meeting with West Virginia ended 29-29. Miami got a field goal from Bobby Lee Coy in the final 2:12. It was the only kick Bobby Lee ever attempted in his college career! He's now a golf pro, and I imagine never dreamed his name would appear on ESPN.com for his four seconds of glory.