college football

This week, in what would have previously been a sign of the apocalypse, a USC football coach said of Stanford: "We'll just do the best we can, struggle our way through it and hope to slow them down some."

Utah takes its Mountain West Conference title hopes on the road Saturday.

No big deal.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - One of three University of Tennessee football players arrested for an alleged robbery attempt near campus early Thursday morning has been freed without having to post bond, according to his defense attorney.

Bond for Janzen Jackson, 18, was reduced from $15,000 Thursday afternoon and he was released on his own recognizance, said attorney Donld Bosch.

Capsule previews of Saturday's top games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.

No. 7 GEORGIA TECH (9-1) at DUKE (5-4), Noon, ESPN2.

FAVORITE: Georgia Tech 11.

COACHES: Paul Johnson (18-5 in second year at Ga. Tech) and David Cutcliffe (9-12 in second year at Duke).

If Charlie Weis somehow manages to squirm out from under the proverbial ax, Notre Dame should consider naming him its CEO.

Since, in the financial world, CEOs are often rewarded for their failures, perhaps the university should toss its $4 million-a-year football coach a bonus as well.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Three University of Tennessee freshman football players face attempted armed robbery charges.

Janzen Jackson, Mike Edwards and Nu'Keese Richardson, all 18, were charged Thursday morning after an armed robbery attempt at a Pilot station on Cumberland Avenue, according to the Knoxville Police Department.

Capsule previews for Thursday and Friday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.

THURSDAY:

No. 23 SOUTH FLORIDA (6-2) at RUTGERS (6-2), 7:30, ESPN.

FAVORITE: The game is even.

COACHES: Jim Leavitt (93-24 in 13th year at South Florida) and Greg Schiano (52-53 in 9th year at Rutgers).

It may be mid-November, but there is a long way to go in the race for the 75th Heisman Trophy.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram jumped back on top of this week's Scripps Howard News Service Heisman poll just holding off Houston quarterback Case Keenum by a single point. Last week's leader, 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow of Florida, fell to third.

While many fans will forever detest the Bowl Championship Series cartel, at least college football is starting to consistently deliver one exciting race for a premier award.

Yes, we're talking about the Heisman Trophy. And for the second straight year in mid-November, the race for arguably the most sought-after award in sports is up for grabs.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - In five years as a Florida linebacker, Ryan Stamper has steadfastly worked his way from afterthought to starter on the Gators' No. 1, undefeated team, yet up until two weeks ago, he never had a single interception. Now with three regular-season games remaining in his final season, Stamper has had an interception in back-to-back games.