Downs and distance

Four items of interest on the college football landscape

David vs. Goliath II
Remember last season's Upset of the Century when FCS powerhouse Appalachian State stunned then-No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor, 34-32? Can it happen again? Probably not, but this time Appalachian State travels to Tiger Stadium to take on defending national champion Louisiana State. Still, upsets happen and the LSU starting quarterback is likely to be Andrew Hatch, who two years ago was on the Harvard junior varsity. If you want a subplot, Georgia Southern, another FCS power, is opening its season against Georgia, which is the preseason pick to win the national championship.

Opening test
How good is Clemson? If you believe the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference hype, Clemson is the best team in the league. But people have thought that before. The Tigers have not won the ACC title since 1991. Clemson takes on Alabama, still regarded as trailing LSU and Auburn in the West Division. But this matchup has the Southeastern Conference folks wondering and the ACC folks worrying. Clemson is No. 9 in the preseason ranking, Alabama is No. 24. Can you say, "Roll Tide"?

UCLA vs. USC
Sometimes even the most-storied programs need booster shots. That is why UCLA, coached by former Bruins quarterback and former Colorado and Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel, will make his coaching debut this weekend. In Monday's Los Angeles Times, UCLA fans paid for a full-page ad with a picture of Neuheisel pointing over a caption reading, "The football monopoly in Los Angeles is officially over." The next day, USC fans responded with the same picture, but the words saying, "The football monopoly in Los Angeles is officially over... there."

Top contenders
Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, who finished fourth in last year's Heisman race, opens the season against Illinois. Daniel, who threw for 4,306 yards and 33 touchdowns last season, could make a quantum leap to the top with a solid game against Illinois, which went to the Rose Bowl last season. Last year's Heisman winner, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, should have an easier time as the Gators open against Hawaii, which went to the Sugar Bowl last season and got blown out by Georgia.