Five things to watch this weekend: Florida vs. Georgia
No, the Gators and Bulldogs don't play on the field but Georgia and Florida are battling for the same player: 5-foot-10, 180-pound tailback Keith Marshall from Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook. The five-star Marshall, who is rated the top tailback prospect in the nation, has said he's particularly fond of Georgia and coach Mark Richt. He'd also be a perfect complement to Bulldogs freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell's physical running style. But let's put the Georgia talk aside for one moment since Marshall is headed to Florida for his official visit this weekend. Imagine for a moment a perfect official visit to Florida. Imagine Marshall falling in love with the Gators and Gainesville. Most importantly, imagine Georgia losing to Mississippi State and Richt's coaching seat becoming red hot. If all that happened, Marshall very well could be headed south. After all, Marshall has repeatedly hinted that if Richt's gone, he'll go somewhere else besides Athens. Now, imagine the impact a Marshall commitment to Florida would have.Not only would Georgia lose a top prospect to a hated rival, but it would also further establish Florida in North Carolina. The Gators already have the nation's top offensive tackle in D.J. Humphries from Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek and four-star safety Rhaheim Ledbetter from Shelby (N.C.) Crest. If the Gators land Marshall, look out. Florida doesn't need more fertile recruiting territory. It has plenty of players in its backyard. But with UNC in the throes of chaos, someone will capitalize in that state. Why not the Gators?Marshall also has official visits scheduled to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech in November.Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
The tough games just keep coming for the Tigers, who have beaten Auburn and Florida State in consecutive weeks. Is this a special year for Clemson or was September just a special month? An almost prime-time game in Blacksburg, Va., should go a long way in determining that.Of course, some prospects are considering both schools. The headliner is four-star athlete Stefon Diggs from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel, who is considered the top prospect in Maryland, the top receiver prospect in the nation and the ninth-best prospect overall in the country.That matchup is also a fascinating juxtaposition of styles, even if it is largely based on perception. On one hand, you have the blue-collar Hokies that get the most out of their talent and you have the talent-rich Tigers (at least if you believe recruiting rankings) that are trying to live up to their billing.Tigers' final touches
With 18 commitments (five in the ESPNU 150) and limited scholarship offers to work with in 2012, Clemson's class is busting at the seams. However, that won't stop the Tigers from trying to add one or two last-second blue-chippers to bolster the class. Of course, Eddie Goldman from Washington (D.C.) Friendship has gotten plenty of pub, but he seems quite smitten with Florida State.Enter 6-5, 210-pound defensive end Kenderius Whitehead from Lithonia (Ga.) Martin Luther King. Whitehead told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Clemson has been doing the best job of recruiting him and that he wants to take an official visit to see the Tigers up close. Whitehead is also considering North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.Then there's 6-3, 305-pound offensive lineman D.J. Reader from Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley, who told Pamettosports.com that he likes Clemson's young coaches and the fact that it's a program on the rise. Reader is also considering North Carolina, NC State, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Auburn.Can Maryland rebound?