By Special Contributor Larry Kane

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – In campaign 2012 after this Saturday there are five left before decision day.

The expectations game has begun prior to the first presidential debate Wednesday night.

The Presidents’ team is praising Mitt Romney’s debating skills. Romney’s advisers say the President could top their man in the Denver debate.

Both sides are trying to lower expectations, so if things go badly, it won’t look so bad.

Back to the real campaign – Romney boldly predicted he would win Pennsylvania even though he has no plans to come back here YET after Friday’s appearances.

The Obama campaign is playing down his polling leads in eight battleground states, also known as don’t spike the ball till you get to the end zone.

With 38 days left, Obama holds a lead in national polls from 5 to 7 points, and early voting is already underway in 26 states now.