Utah Watch

The Utah Runnin' Utes, No. 6 in the BCS standings, figure to become Auburn fans on Nov. 13 when the Tigers play Georgia. The Bulldogs are No. 5 in the coaches' poll. An Auburn victory almost certainly would downgrade the Dawgs to below Utah and create a spot for the Utes to move up in the coaches' poll.

For those who don't believe in the Utes, consider this: North Carolina beat Miami on a late field goal. Utah stomped the Tar Heels 46-16. Given those scores, the Utes should have bigger leads over the Hurricanes in both the coaches' and AP polls.

Three weeks from now, if Utah is undefeated, the Utes and the Mountain West Conference could be in position to earn an unprecedented BCS invitation and the $14 million payday that goes with it.

"When you are 8-0, the best thing about it is that you have a chance to get to 9-0," coach Urban Meyer said after Saturday's victory. "That's the only thing we're focused on."

Rush, rush

The leading rusher in the nation is a true freshman - and, no, it's not Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson or Michigan's Michael Hart. It's North Texas' Jamario Thomas (173.6 ypg), probably the most heralded recruit in that school's history.

North Texas' Patrick Cobbs led the nation in rushing last season but was lost for the year early this season. Enter Thomas, who rushed for minus-1 yard in the first two games but has four 200-yard games since. The four 200-yard games ties an NCAA Division I-A record for a freshman; Herschel Walker (1980) and Ron Dayne (1996) also did it. Thomas is the main reason the Mean Green are on their way to a fourth consecutive Sun Belt title.

Look out, Peyton

When Peyton Manning finished his career at Tennessee, they named a street after him.

Georgia's David Greene expects no such adulation.

Nevertheless, Greene is likely to finish his college career as the winningest quarterback in Division I-A history. He's tied with Manning at 39 victories and, barring a colossal upset, will break the mark Saturday when the No. 8 Bulldogs take on woeful Kentucky.

Greene doesn't see Manning losing any sleep over losing his record.

"I doubt he even knows about it," Greene said. "He's a busy man."

Enquirer wire services