Talk amongst yourselves...

• Oklahoma/Nebraska
• USC/WSU & Texas/Oklahoma State, and aftermath of VT/B.C.
• Georgia/Florida, sans Shockley
• Michigan/Northwestern
• Whatever else is on your mind
  

You know the drill.  I'll check in from time to time and add thoughts when necessary.  Feel free to join and continue the conversation in the comments section below.

ESPN GameDay is in Austin for the Texas/Texas Tech tilt.  I'll be making a morning run to the local fish place, see what's good for the BBQ later (the shrimp are always great, same with Tilapia, Salmon (last Saturday's special, on cedar planks) and basically anything else.  What a life.

Feel free to check out the schedule and televised games list here. 

Games that pique my curiosity:

• Northwestern @ Michigan State (noon, ESPN2)
• Oregon State @ UCLA (3:30)
• North Carolina State @ Wake Forest (3:30)
• Baylor @ Oklahoma (7:00, FSN)
• Washington State @ Cal (10:15, FSN)
  

Games sure to generate discussion:

• Michigan @ Iowa (12:10, ABC)
• BYU @ Notre Dame (2:30, NBC)
• Texas Tech @ Texas (3:30, ABC)
• Tennessee @ Alabama (3:30, CBS)
• Auburn @ LSU (7:45 ESPN)

Here's a piece from SI's Arash Markazi about his experience at the USC/ND game.  Basically he replays his press booth and on field experience, including observations of the USC players and being in a now-famous photograph as he stood on the sidelines watching Matt Leinart fumble the ball just before the end zone.

The story reminds me of BoiFromTroy's earlier ruminations about CFB bloggers obtaining media credentials.  I don't know if that will happen anytime soon (certainly not at certain universities), but it would be nice.  I've had similar access before on a few memorable occasions, and it's a trip (I was actually in a similar photo, in a similar situation, in a similar spot on the field, although the game was in overtime and the quarterback scored, nearly suffocated by his teammates in the celebratory pileup).

You get to see things much more up close, and get an appreciation for all the gears at work in games, not just the action on the field, but all the periphery, from the millions of quiet little helpers dragging wires and patrolling the sideline barrriers---don't cross them or you're sure to get an earful, don't I know---to the bands and cheerleaders and fans.  Stepping onto the field and other areas, such as the tunnels, locker rooms, press boxes, and hidden storage facilities really sharpens ones view of all that goes into a game and what happens within it.  I think it would do many of us well, if we're into that serious reporting---and maybe even if we're not, to get a glimpse of things.  Besides, it makes for interesting memories.

I'll talk about Reggie Bush soon, but for now I think this will do:

Could we see the Big Ten's three elite teams all fall this weekend?

Iowa is losing 16-0 at half to rival Iowa State on the road, quarterback Drew Tate is out with an injury, and the Hawkeyes have committed a staggering four turnovers.

Michigan lost to Notre Dame earlier today, 17-10.

And Ohio State has a very difficult test against Texas tonight.

The window may soon be wide open for upstarts Michigan State and schedule darling (they skip Michigan  and Ohio State) Purdue.

Stay tuned...

Apparently Oregon superfrosh Jonathan Stewart has taken a kick back 83 yards for a touchdown today.  He has yet to record a carry against Montana early in the second quarter.

Just got a text message from a friend: "Chad Henne 4 Heisman!"

Hehe.

There's 7:00 left in the 4Q right now and Michigan is down 17-3 to Notre Dame.

Chad Henne's line:

14/31, 114 Yards, 45.2%, 0TD/1INT 3 Points

He's not this bad, obviously, but he's chosen the worst possible time to have a bad game.  Its not like guys haven't been open all afternoon.  Talk about a case of the yips. 

Here's a pretty cool link about a day in the life of Clemson football from the writers, editors, photographers and any other assistance that could be found at the Greenville Times.  Nice feature!

This is the beauty of college football, and for once the media associated with a particular team do it a little justice, giving life to all the fans, officials, players, support groups, vendors... everything.

Tradition matters and it's what makes the game unique.