Psst, Cal, I just wanted to let you know you have a huge game against USC next week. It’s going to be epic. You’re a top ten team, they’re a top ten team (in one poll). I mean, it’s big, right? College GameDay might even visit your beautiful Strawberry Canyon stadium. That’s never happened before. You must be really excited to meet Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and the orangest man alive, Kirk Herbstreit. That thing’s on national TV in primetime, too, right? Wow, how exciting!

Have you heard all the talk that you might be the team to beat this year? No, seriously, everyone thinks you’re going to dethrone the Trojans of Troy. They say Jahvid Best might be a Heisman front-runner and that he could run all over USC’s defense. Your secondary, that’s a good unit, too. It looks like Matt Barkley could throw a few picks your way.

You’re excited, aren’t you? Has there ever been a bigger game in the history of your stadium? Probably not. Just think of all that energy flowing through the stadium right before the ball is kicked off. This is going to be your chance to stick your flag in the Pac-10’s proverbial surface and proclaim it Golden Bear country.

Nobody blames you for looking ahead. I’d be excited, too. I’d probably gloss right over the patsy on the schedule that you haven’t lost to in 4 years. In fact, you should. Rest up, stay healthy. Mentally prepare yourselves for the juggernaut that is USC.

If nothing else, at least you’ll have an excuse on Sunday.

I wonder what I’ll do when I grow up and have real things to do on fall Saturdays.

1. I think the days of walking over the Huskies are over. We knew it was coming. I embrace it because I love the rivalry and, believe it or not, I’ve missed them. We’ll see over time just how dumb that sentiment is. Still, it doesn’t mean UW is a loss waiting to happen this season. I get the feeling they are going to flirt with about a 6-6 season when it’s all said and done which would be a remarkable turn-around.

2. Cincinnati looked good. The Big East is usually an easy target, but I think the Bearcats are legit. Quarterback Tony Pike seems to be a master of the offense and they don’t hold the playbook back. I know being the front runner of the Big East is like being the best electrician in Amish country, but I think they can compete at a top 10 level. It’s a tough loss for Beaver fans, but not one that defines their season by any means.

3. Kirk Herbstreit, improbably, is getting even orangier (it’s kind of a word). He might be a pumpkin by Halloween. Granted, a pumpkin with bright blue eyes and gorgeous frosted hair, but a pumpkin nonetheless (I only wish I had a picture of his close-up in the booth of the Texas-Texas Tech game to illustrate this).

4. I can’t resist one Oregon reference. I liked the uniform combo. Apparently, no one else did and that’s fine. Is it the best of the hundreds of combos? No, but I liked it better than the “all greens” a week ago. Jeremiah Masoli needs help though. These unis make him look like he’s wearing mom jeans (these are the things you notice when watching games with an FOTB. Actually, I noticed that on my home, but don’t tell anyone).

5. Purdue’s loss to Northern Illinois surprised me. I thought they played really well at Autzen and was expecting them to be a competitive team this year. Of course, one loss doesn’t mean they’re done, but it stains my impression of them.

6. Give it up for Washington State after getting a win in overtime over SMU. If only they could call it a season. 1-2 sounds so much better than 1-11.

I was trolling around on eDuck.com yesterday and noticed a discussion of a quote allegedly attributed to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

“Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy.”

Unwilling to believe that a man with such a nice orange tan from Ohio could say such a thing, I googled the quote. All I found was some stuff from the doldrums of OregonLive.com’s Mensa-level forums and an OSU message board back in April.

I’m calling B.S. We all know Herbie has a special place in his heart for Eugene and we look forward to his five visits for College GameDay this year.