ATHENS, Ga. - Boise State's run at a national title took a hit Sunday when Alabama remained ahead of the undefeated Broncos in the Bowl Championship Series standings despite the Crimson Tide's 9-6 overtime loss to LSU on Saturday night.
Should the Broncos ever need vocal assistance in their argument to play for a BCS crown, they've got it with the Georgia Bulldogs. Boise State opened this season with a 35-21 win over Georgia in Atlanta.
"If they're the only undefeated team left, then they deserve to play in the national championship game," Bulldogs cornerback Sanders Commings said Tuesday. "Every year they've proven themselves. They beat us at the beginning of the year, and now we're first in the SEC East.
"They've beaten Oklahoma in the past and Virginia Tech. They've always beaten teams that are supposed to be the top in the nation."
Georgia coach Mark Richt gave a plug for the Broncos as well, saying, "I think Boise State can line up against anybody in America and have a realistic shot of winning."
The Bulldogs could strengthen Boise State's argument significantly by winning the East and then upsetting LSU for the league title. Of course, Oklahoma State and Stanford would have to lose somewhere along the way, but Commings is hoping for a different postseason rematch than Alabama-LSU.
"I want to see Boise again," Commings said. "I hope we have a chance to play them in the Sugar Bowl."
Keeping the faith
A day after Ole Miss announced that Houston Nutt would be out at the end of the season, there was no discussion of Richt's job security. Seven consecutive victories following an 0-2 start have squelched such talk concerning Richt, who said he hasn't been bothered by it all year.
"Quite frankly, I love the game of football, I love my job and I love Georgia, but what I do is not who I am," he said. "Sometimes if we become what we do and then things aren't going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I've got a faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me.
"When all the games are done and all the life is lived, I know where I will be for eternity."
Crowell's return
Isaiah Crowell was suspended for the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game Oct. 15 and for the entire New Mexico State game last Saturday, but Richt is confident his touted freshman tailback can work through some growing pains.
"I don't think I've ever had a freshman navigate it without hitting a wall somewhere along the way or just shake his head and say, 'What the heck happened?'" Richt said. "All these kids are going through some tough times, and I've got a lot of faith in Isaiah. I think Isaiah is going to do real well for Georgia."
Crowell is expected to make his sixth start of the season against Auburn.
Odds and ends
Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley attended Tuesday's news conference and said afterward that he does not believe the indictment of former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky will affect the reputation of longtime Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno. ... Richt on Georgia controlling its destiny in the East: "I would say that's even more of a reason to heighten your work ethic." ... The Bulldogs have lost five straight games to ranked foes since a 2009 win at No. 7 Georgia Tech. ... Richt did not divulge how the kicking situation would be handled Saturday between seniors Blair Walsh and Brian Bogotay, who rotated on kickoffs and extra points last week. ... Redshirt freshman receiver Michael Bennett on inheriting the nickname "White Lightning" from former receiver Kris Durham: "It's just white skin, being kind of fast, so that's what it is."