With visits to No. 1-ranked Ohio State and the upstart Detroit Lions on last weekend’s docket, I was looking forward to another two day mix of college and pro pigskin. But before heading to Columbus or Motown, I first had to make a stop in South Bend, Indiana, 80 miles east of Chicago, home of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame but also the College Football Hall of Fame & Museum (http://www.collegefootball.org). What a treat it was.

Upon entering, I didn’t have any expectations of the college hall, yet when I left its doors, I had gained a thorough education on the history of game and a renewed appreciation of the student-athlete. The college hall takes fans on a unique timeline of the game’s roots, including showcasing the variety of balls used during its formative stages back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are gigantic, former big balls to marvel at, plus a skeleton that was once used as the pigskin! Yes, a skeleton. I’m not making this up!

What I most enjoyed about the historical timeline was its honesty. There are museums I’ve visited on this trip that try to glaze over or rewrite history. For example, at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida, there is a small museum underneath the ballpark that makes no mention of the fact that Jackie Robinson was not allowed to play here during Spring Training in the 1950s simply because he was black.

The college hall museum, on the other hand, is upfront about the brutality to which college football was played in the early days, with many players dying from their injuries because there were no rules for tackling and little to no equipment, including helmets. In short, the hall explains how the game was pure anarchy back in the day, and that it was not until U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt threatened to ban the sport for its brutality that it instituted rules.

Probably the other most unique aspect of the hall I enjoyed was its celebrity corner, with college photos of former jocks turned movie stars, like actor Tommy Lee Jones (Harvard), comedian and actor Bill Cosby (Temple), actor Burt Reynolds (Florida State), and the late, great actor John Wayne (USC).

Notre Dame was hosting the USC Trojans in South Bend the next day, but with the Irish having one of its worst seasons ever (it may end up being THE worst ever), I wasn’t headed next to campus for the USC-ND pep rally (can you blame me, the Irish ended up losing 38-0, their first shutout at the hands of the Trojans since the 1930s. Ouch, yes it hurts, this Irish fan). Instead, I headed back across the border (the Michigan border, that is) to Lawson Arena to see the “Lawson Lunatics” for myself. Western Michigan was hosting Bentley, and I learned quickly that one “must wear black” to sit amongst the lunatics of WM students, who gave the Bentley goalie utter grief all night, with various chants that would put anyone’s confidence in the cellar. The host Broncos prevailed easily, and I was headed back south for my two days of pigskin.

Headed southeast to Columbus, the question was: is Ohio State worthy of its No. 1 ranking.? I’ll say one thing for sure: with the exception of Nebraska and Alabama, no other college football experience has been quite as unique as Ohio State. After all, where else on campus can you find a cake shaped like the stadium that boldly predicts the score of that day’s game?

The Ohio State “Stadium Cake” of Ohio Stadium was showcased outside the main entrance for fans to salivate above about an hour before kickoff last Saturday against Michigan State. After the game, fans indulged in the red, white and gray cake for a nominal fee, with proceeds benefiting a program that helps send financially-strapped high school students to college. Very cool.

The atmosphere inside Ohio Stadium was electric from the moment I stepped inside, and I was especially impressed with the hoisting of the huge American flag during the pre-game ceremonies. I also couldn’t help but notice just how cramped the seating was, leading me to conclude if you like your space, Ohio Stadium ain’t your kinda place.

But, man it’s a lot of fun.

In the south end zone, students decked in red and white formed a giant ‘O.’ That’s when they weren’t raising their hands above their heads forming the ‘O.’ The Buckeyes came out to prove they were deserved of their No. 1 ranking and did so quickly, jumping out to a 24-0 lead. You would think with a 24-0 lead deep into the third quarter that some fans might leave. Think again. As I roamed the seating bowl and looked upward, downward, left and right, I could not see a single empty seat. Now that’s impressive.

Some offensive lapses by Ohio State in the second half enabled Michigan State to rack up 17 points but the Buckeyes held on for a 24-17win to stay undefeated and No. 1 – for now.

If losing is a disease, the Detroit Lions may finally have found the cure, or at least their cure. After a splendid fall afternoon in the Ohio state capitol, I headed up to Motown the next day to downtown Detroit’s Ford Field to see the 3-2 Lions host the Buccaneers. The Lions have been God awful the last, oh, 50 years, but 2007 may be different – seriously. Detroit’s unsung defense has led the way and posted an amazing 26 hurries against Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia in winning 23-16. The Detroit Lions, 4-2, who would have thunk it?

As for Ford Field itself, I wasn’t terribly impressed. They might as well call this place, Ford Fortress, because it’s ridiculously huge and not in a good way. I have been to many a football stadium and the sight lines here are among the worst I’ve seen, with the seats gently sloping back away from the field. What’s more, the ushers are aloof, allowing fans to come and go during the action, blocking your view of the field, especially if you’re sitting on the end of an aisle.

But what’s really bizarre? How about no cheerleaders at Ford Field, but instead a cheerer – courtesy of a simple fan wearing a black and blue construction helmet. Hey, it’s Motown, baby. Get your Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch and Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Lions!