The top game in the country today involves No. 3 Georgia hosting No. 13 LSU. The game will hold particular interest for alumni of the schools, so we checked in with a couple of Buccaneers, Georgia grad Jermaine Phillips and LSU's Anthony "Booger" McFarland:
PHILLIPS: "They'll see all that red and black. They won't know what to do. They're going to lay down. They are national champions and that's well deserved, but that was last year. Two years ago, (the Bucs) were national champions too, but the next year doesn't mean anything. (Booger) hasn't had anything to say. I think he's a little nervous after the Auburn game. He's scared to talk to me."
McFARLAND: "We beat them in Baton Rouge; we beat them at a neutral site. The only thing left to do is beat them in Georgia. We're going for the trifecta. No fears. I'm not worried about it at all. The crowd cannot play a down. . . . We've got to get back to playing Tiger football. We're going to lockup and play man to man and blitz."
WILL THE REAL CHRIS DAVIS PLEASE STAND?
Where's Chris Davis?
Everywhere.
As highlights roll across the television screen, that name keeps coming up. Chris Davis with a big catch for Florida State; Chris Davis catches a touchdown for Wake Forest; Chris Davis this; Chris Davis that.
And that's just in college. Nevermind Chris Davis, a second-year fullback with the Seahawks who played at Hillsborough High, or Chris Davis, a receiver out of Southern University who was cut by the Giants in August.
Here's our guide to the collegiate Chris Davises:
CHRIS DAVIS, WR, Wake Forest: The Gibbs High graduate has touchdowns in each of the Deacons' first two games, including 112 yards against Boston College last week.
CHRIS DAVIS, WR, Florida State: The St. Petersburg Catholic graduate had three catches for 36 yards in FSU's first three games. As a redshirt freshman last season, he had 23 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
CHRIS DAVIS, S, Duke: The freshman from Stone Mountain, Ga., hasn't played this fall, but could wind up covering the other Chris Davises next season.
CHRIS DAVIS, LB, Colorado State: Junior from Oxnard, Calif., hasn't played this season due to a knee injury.
We can't wait until Chris Davis and the Seminoles meet Chris Davis and the Demon Deacons meet Oct. 23. We propose the loser changes his name.
Maybe Chris Smith?
BOISE STATE MAKES OTHERS SEE BLUE
Boise State players love the novelty of their blue turf and the attention it brings.
Bronco Stadium is the only blue Astro Turf football field in the world. Affectionately known as "Smurf Turf," the current field was installed during the summer of 2002. It's the third blue field at the stadium.
What the Broncos have been accomplishing on their "Smurf Turf" is getting even more notice these days. No. 23 Boise State has the nation's longest winning streak at 15 in a row and hopes to break into the Bowl Championship Series despite playing in a mid-major conference.
"I think the national scene is really just starting to realize this isn't a fluke team. It's a program here," quarterback Jared Zabransky said.
In just its ninth season in Division I-A, Boise State is a relative newcomer to the top level. But Boise State (4-0) has won 28 of its past 29 games and is the two-time defending champion of the Western Athletic Conference. But because the WAC is not among the six leagues guaranteed a spot in one of the four BCS games, the Broncos are a longshot to become the first school from a non-BCS league to get an at-large bid.
Still, their accomplishments on the field haven't matched the notoriety of the field itself.
"That's always what people say when you mention Boise State - "Oh, you've got the blue field,' " Zabransky said. "It's kind of second nature to us. We don't seem to notice it, but everybody else does." FIVE THINGS
1. Since the start of last season, Georgia Tech is better as an underdog than as a favorite. The Jackets have gone 3-3 in games they were favored to win, 5-4 in games they were expected to lose. (There was no line on a game against Samford, which is in Division I-AA.)
2. If BYU continues its losing ways, coach Gary Crowton's tenure could end before the season is finished. The lack of success on the field is a major problem, but the deeper issue is the lack of discipline off the field, including a gang rape allegation against several players. If the season continues to spiral downward, one plan is to replace Crowton with BYU associate athletic director and former California coach Tom Holmoe on an interim basis.
3. Penn State's plans to redshirt heralded freshman quarterback Anthony Morelli have changed after last weekend's loss to Wisconsin. Starter Zack Mills' injured right shoulder might not be healed enough for him to play today at Minnesota, and backup Michael Robinson will miss at least one game with a concussion sustained against the Badgers. Third-stringer Chris Ganter played poorly against Wisconsin. Morelli took snaps with the first team this week.
4. Louisville got its second shutout of the season last weekend against North Carolina (the first was against Kentucky), and the Cardinals face lowly East Carolina - which also might not score - this week. Louisville is No. 3 in the nation in scoring defense (7.0 points per game) this season under new defensive coordinator Mike Cassity despite playing with virtually the same unit that gave up 134 points the last three games of 2003.
5. Colorado might be the most ignored undefeated team in the country. And it considers that a good thing. After the scandal-ridden days filled with sexual harassment claims and questions about their recruiting practices, the Buffaloes (3-0) are hoping to make headlines for the right reasons. They could make a splash by beating Missouri today. BY THE NUMBERS
Games this season between teams from BCS conferences and non-BCS conferences. 16
Games won by the non-BCS conference teams. 30
Years since Purdue has won in South Bend, Ind. 21
Players from Florida on the Georgia Tech roster 0
Players from Georgia on the Miami roster
QUOTABLE
"Family members don't expect us to win. "I don't look for my mama to expect us to win."
- Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball on playing Miami
