BY DREW SHARP (DETROIT FREE PRESS) —
LOS ANGELES — The so-called “Collision at the Coliseum” is more like a fender bender.
There hasn’t been this much local anticipation of a regular-season college football game in a while. But No. 1 USC’s game tonight versus No. 5 Ohio State has created an opportunity to cement a popular national perception that the Big Ten is the most overrated “power” football conference in the country.

I’ve never felt more welcomed anywhere in my life.

The Trojans maintained a politically correct face amid all the buildup this week. They spoke highly of the Buckeyes, ever respectful of their opponent. They didn’t bite on the bait when an Ohio State player the Trojans strongly recruited three years ago openly questioned the integrity of the USC program.

They’re loose, yet focused.

“We love having the chance at playing in big games like this,” USC senior linebacker Rey Maualuga said following practice this week. “It’s great that everybody’s watching us. We’re not intimidated by that. We welcome that. It’s not every day that you get two of the top-ranked teams in the country playing each other this early in the season.”

Paranoia isn’t an option for the Trojans. Most programs would bar the media in the days preceding such an important game. They’d cut off access, censor players and deviate from normal game-preparation protocol.

But USC coach Pete Carroll doesn’t alter his normal routine, and that’s a large reason for the Trojans’ success in monumental games such as these.

“Who wouldn’t want to be in a situation like this, where you’ve got two of the most traditional college programs ever playing each other?” he said. “Isn’t games like these why you come to USC or Ohio State? You want this opportunity to test yourself.”

Tonight’s game is a recruiting pitch for both programs.

But it’s also a statement opportunity for the Big Ten at large and Ohio State specifically. The Big Ten has a four-game BCS bowl losing streak — two championship games and two Rose Bowls — by a margin of 160-73.

The Trojans are responsible for two of those Rose Bowl massacres, against Illinois last year and Michigan in 2007. The other two losses came at the hands of SEC champions — who beat the best of the Big Ten, Ohio State.

Buckeyes junior receiver Ray Small told ESPN.com last week that Ohio State was a classier program than USC. He recalled his recruiting visit to Los Angeles, questioning how seriously the Trojans prepared for games.

Practices were too informal for Small’s tastes, but it’s quite possible that relaxed attitude removes the fear from USC players that causes others to make crucial mistakes in big games.

“Everybody’s got their opinion,” Maualuga said. “But all the talking stops when you get on the field.”

Can the Big Ten get the last word?

It’s unlikely.

WHAT? NO CUPCAKES? “You could put lipstick on a pig and it’s still a pig.” We’ve now confirmed that comment was actually a reference to the Big Ten’s historic 11-0 non-conference record a week ago. The Mystic One sided with the Big Ten last week (4-1 against the spread, 6-4 overall for the season), but he’s no fool this week. There isn’t a cupcake in sight, creating quite the challenge for the all-seeing, all-knowing famed seer, sage, soothsayer and former Lions tackling consultant … The Great Boodini.

# Michigan (minus-1 1/2 ) at Notre Dame: When asked how he defends against the spread, Charlie Weis said he walks away from the buffet table. The end zones at Notre Dame Stadium are moved closer together, improving the chances one of these teams actually reaches them. Pick: Michigan.

# Florida Atlantic (plus-17) at Michigan State: It’s always risky playing any school with Florida attached to its name. The Spartans lodge a complaint when FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger employs devious trick plays, like having the quarterback run the ball for forward progress. Pick: Florida Atlantic.

# Ohio State (plus-11) at USC: The Trojans are awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after their elimination of the Buckeyes from BCS championship game consideration prevents another national embarrassment. Pick: USC.

# Wisconsin (minus-1 1/2 ) at Fresno State: The Badgers are shocked when they learn they must actually cross two time zones for a non-conference game. They file an official protest with the NCAA, citing that travel requiring an airplane for a September game violates their scheduling constitutional rights. Pick: Wisconsin.

# Oregon (minus-8) at Purdue: Attempting to top last week’s legislative foolishness, the Pac-10 referees flag the Ducks in the fourth quarter for excessive infiltration into the Boilermakers’ end zone. Pick: Oregon.

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