For the gatecrashers in blue, this was the Respect Bowl. A mini-national championship game, if you will, because they certainly weren't going to be playing in the real one in January if they didn't win this one on Labor Day.

The TCU Horned Frogs realize they likely will have to be perfect again in the regular season for the chance at a BCS do-over.

With the NCAA lurking around Chapel Hill and some of its best players sitting in the stands, North Carolina found itself in a most improbable position.

Trent Richardson ran for two touchdowns, Greg McElroy passed for 218 yards and No. 1 Alabama began defense of its national championship by beating San Jose State 48-3 on Saturday night.