College Football Report

After accepting the job as head coach of Tennessee, Lane Kiffin said he would enjoy "singing 'Rocky Top' all night long" after defeating Florida, a reference to the Vols' fight song. Well, Kiffin gets his first chance today against the No. 1 Gators at the Swamp, and you can bet the hosts will be anything but hospitable. In pounding two outclassed opponents, the Gators have more total yards (1,287) and more points (118) than any team in the nation.

... for Florida coach Urban Meyer to pour it on is the fact that two Class of 2009 players who orally committed to the Gators - wide receiver Marsalis Teague and punt returner Nu'Keese Richardson - wound up signing with Tennessee. "We get real close with these guys, so it just frustrates you," Meyer said. "But that happens. It's just the cost of doing business." As for the hostile crowd, Richardson told the Orlando Sentinel, "I could care less what they do. I can feed off it."

Blake Gideon knows he should have intercepted the pass that would have stopped Texas Tech's late drive and kept Texas on the road to the 2008 national championship game. But the freshman safety dropped it, the Red Raiders scored a touchdown on the next play, and the Longhorns were out. The second-ranked 'Horns (2-0) get another chance in Austin, with Taylor Potts (855 total offense yards in two games) now running the show for Tech. As for Gideon, "That's a play that should have been made. I've moved on."

Junior Aaron Corp is expected to start at quarterback today for No. 3 USC (2-0) at Washington in place of freshman Matt Barkley, who suffered a bruised right (throwing) shoulder in last week's win over Ohio State. Then again, given the Trojans' depth and strength at tailback, some of you out there might be qualified for the job. Of the six (yes, six) tailbacks competing for playing time, junior Joe McKnight and senior Stafon Johnson starred on last week's decisive drive.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel received his share of critical and nasty e-mails following the Buckeyes' loss to USC, and he expressed these thoughts: "They've got to be some of the most unhappy people in the world, and I feel bad because we just made them less happy, and I hate to be a part of making someone less happy. I mean, they're already miserable." The 11th-ranked Buckeyes (1-1) had better not fall asleep today in Cleveland against high-powered Toledo (1-1), or they'll be even more miserable.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Bobby Bowden's first victory as a college head coach, but the Florida State coach is not in a celebratory mood. Coming off a narrow escape against Jacksonville State of the Football Championship Subdivision, the Seminoles (1-1) travel to No. 7 BYU. "This game is going to tell us how close we're getting," said Bowden, who is second to Joe Paterno with 383 career wins. "Are we getting there? Or are we still struggling?"

The plan for 13th-ranked Virginia Tech (1-1) is to rebound from its season-opening loss to Alabama with some high-profile wins and to get back into the BCS picture. When they host No. 19 Nebraska (2-0), the Hokies will try to wear down the Cornhuskers with a running game that piled up 444 yards last week against Marshall. Nebraska's Zac Lee has thrown for six touchdowns in two games.

Charlie Weis was not thrilled with the officiating after Notre Dame lost to Michigan and dropped out of the national rankings. The Fighting Irish coach said he sent the Big Ten, which supervised the officiating crew for the game, a tape of plays he questioned. "I say I'd like an explanation on these handful of plays," he said. "Just that handful is a little bit longer handful than it would normally be." The Irish (1-1) seek to bounce back by hosting Michigan State, which was dealt a black eye last week by Central Michigan.

After Connecticut's near-upset of North Carolina last week, the Big East has two more chances for headlines. No. 17 Cincinnati (2-0), which visits Oregon State (2-0), features the outstanding combination of quarterback Tony Pike throwing to Mardy Gilyard, who last week scored touchdowns on a punt return, a run, and a pass. West Virginia (2-0), with quarterback Jarrett Brown (577 yards passing, 157 yards rushing) performing in the mold of predecessor Pat White, travels to Auburn (2-0) and its second-ranked rushing game.

People consider the Mid-American Conference a punching bag for the Big Ten, but two MAC players have played great in the early going. Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt ranks No. 1 nationally in total offense (437.0 yards per game), having torched Colorado with four touchdown passes and two TD runs. Wide receiver Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green leads the nation with 25 catches, 10 of them coming in last week's near-upset of Missouri.

Games to Watch

Temple at No. 5 Penn State, noon, Big Ten Network, WPHT-AM (1210), WNTP-AM (990), WNPV-AM (1440): As much as the Nittany Lions want this to resemble a third preseason game going into their Big Ten schedule, the Owls are enough of an unknown to keep their attention.

No. 11 Ohio State vs. Toledo, noon, MYPHL17: The Buckeyes' defense can't afford any kind of letdown at Cleveland Browns Stadium because the Rockets have piled up 1,117 total offensive yards in two games.

No. 8 California at Minnesota, noon: The Golden Bears' Jahvid Best is averaging 10.4 yards per carry and must keep up that pace to help Cal reverse a trend of losing when it goes on long road trips.

Tennessee at No. 1 Florida, 3:30 p.m., CBS3: With Lane Kiffin's critical comments posted on every electronic bulletin board and message board in Gator country, look for Urban Meyer to avoid easing off the gas pedal.

No. 3 USC at Washington, 3:30 p.m., 6ABC: Pete Carroll loves Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian, his former offensive coordinator, and Huskies quarterback Jake Locker, but don't look for the Trojans to offer any love on the field.

Michigan State at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. NBC10, ESPN-AM (950): Fighting Irish fanatics can breathe easy for one week; Jimmy Clausen and favorite targets Michael Floyd and Golden Tate will have their way with the Spartans' secondary.

Villanova at Penn, 7 p.m., TCN, ESPN-AM (950), WNTP-AM (990): The Wildcats (No. 2 in the Football Championship Subdivision) have won eight straight over the Quakers, but their last four victories at Franklin Field have been by just 5 points.

Florida State at No. 7 BYU, 7 p.m., Versus: Look for Cougars quarterback Max Hall to name his final passing yardage against a Seminoles secondary that has struggled in two games.

Texas Tech at No. 2 Texas, 8 p.m., 6ABC: Red Raiders quarterback Taylor Potts hasn't missed a beat filling in for Graham Harrell, but the Longhorns have revenge on their minds, not to mention home field.

Here is staff writer Joe Juliano's rankings for Week Three:

1. Florida

2. Texas

3. USC

4. Alabama

5. California

6. Mississippi

7. Penn State

8. BYU

9. Boise St.

10. LSU