With polls showing McCain and Obama in a statistical dead heat, the media has anointed the Big 10 states as the decision-makers in the 2008 election. This is exciting for those in the Midwest, because after years of mediocrity, the Big 10 has once again emerged as the most relevant conference in the country.

After consecutive defeats on the national stage, the Ohio State Democrats will be looking to avenge their humiliating losses in the Diebold/Premiere Elections Bowl. With a young, upstart, 5-star recruit at the helm, the Dems possess a unique mix of speed and a power rhetoric game. However, questions still exist on defense and the team's inability to win the big game.

Campaign volunteers for both parties (remember, there are only two) are flocking into Pennsylvania, where the Nittany Swing States are asking "What the hell does 'Nittany' mean? Who are we?"

Obama's image has suffered in the state since he made comments suggesting that Pennsylvania voters "... cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or a longing to be independent again like the Notre Dame Fighting Naders."

McCain supporters are trying to convince the state's voters that the word 'antipathy' is actually Latin for "The Keystone State Can Blow Me."

In Pennsylvania, McCain and Obama are tied statistically, however Joe Paterno leads them both in time of possession, turnovers, and it looks like JoePa just kicked a field goal to go up by 3 points in the AP exit polls.

Iowa is also being looked at closely...for the first time ever.

For years, we have heard that whoever wins the South, wins the election. We have heard about Big Ten Strength losing to Pac-10 Spin. We have heard about Democratic "votes" losing to Republican "quit yer bitching!"

This year, the political media is calling this The Year of The Big 10. For the Democrats' sake, let's hope it's The Year of The Big 270.