IN AUGUST, they were the nation’s darlings. Their standout tailback was on the cover of preview magazines. They were ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls. It was great to be a Georgia Bulldog.
A month later, make no mistake, it still is. It’s just a little bit better, though, to be a Sooner or Trojan.
Despite a 3-0 start, Knowshon Moreno and the Bulldogs have slipped in the nation’s eye. Apparently, USC dispatching Virginia and Ohio State, and Oklahoma hammering Chattanooga, Cincinnati and Washington, have taken precedence overGeorgia’s trifecta over Georgia Southern, Central Michigan and South Carolina.
But that could change.
Listen, the No. 3 Bulldogs will have an uphill climb in the rankings, no matter what they do Saturday at Arizona State. But in terms of making people believe – making them realize there are more than just two teams flying first class this month – they have the prime-time tarmac this week.
Last week, USC and OU had it, one on ABC, one on ESPN. They responded by defeating Ohio State and Washington, 90-17.
Georgia, the floor is yours.
“It’s good for both teams to see where they are going,” said Moreno, who has seven touchdowns. “It’s going to be a crazy atmosphere. It’s going to be a good contest.”
It was shaping up to be a classic before the Sun Devils fell to UNLV, 23-20. The loss shipped ASU out of the AP poll and down to No. 24 in the coaches’.
But it’s still Georgia’s toughest test to date. One it’ll need to pass to reclaim that preseason praise.
“I don’t care,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said of the Bulldogs’ doubters. “People are going to talk. We are just worried about playing the best we can and trying to get wins.”
This one won’t be easy, even for Georgia: A few time zones away, a sellout crowd, a nation watching, an opponent – fresh off an upset – that was once ranked No. 13.
“We better be ready to go,” Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said, “because [Georgia is] awfully talented.”
Apparently, we’re in the minority, Dennis. Because we agree. Georgia (-7) is the pick.
TONIGHT
COLORADO (+3) over W. Virginia: Can’t ignore the Thursday night home underdogs (please see Vanderbilt two weeks ago).
SATURDAY
PENN ST. (-28) over Temple: Joe Paterno may take it easy on Al Golden, but the Owls can’t be a good buy after losing on a Hail Mary to Buffalo, of all teams.
NC ST. (+71/2) over E. Carolina: We believe the oddsmakers are ignoring the fact that this is a pretty intense rivalry . . . one in which a home ‘dog from a BCS conference has some value.
ARKANSAS (+91/2) over Alabama: Alabama’s been getting some press, but Bobby Petrino has had two weeks to prepare.
BC (-101/2) over Central Florida: We see an Eagles bounceback vs. a team that is completely different away from Orlando.
GEORGIA TECH (-81/2) over Mississippi State: You won’t make a living taking the ACC over the SEC, but these are the punchless Bulldogs.
OREGON (-101/2) over Boise State: The Ducks keep losing quarterbacks, but the system – and the stadium – are still very much in play.
TENNESSEE (+71/2) over Florida: We’re hoping the Vols remember the taste of the 59-20 loss in Gainesville.
MICHIGAN ST. (-81/2) over Notre Dame: The Irish played well last week, make no mistake. But the steady Spartans won’t commit six turnovers, like Michigan did.
Rutgers (-6) over NAVY: Mike Teel should be able to frustrate a defense that’s allowing 324 passing yards a game.
UNC (-21/2) over Virginia Tech: Speaking of Teel, as bad as he looked vs. the Heels, we believe Butch Davis is truly on to something. A sellout crowd awaits the mediocre Hokies.
FLORIDA STATE (-4) over Wake: We’d like to welcome the Seminoles to the Division I portion of their schedule. A tough one, but surely they remember losing to the Deacons, 30-0, two years ago.
OLE MISS (-61/2) over Vanderbilt: Speaking of the Deacons, the Rebels came within seconds of knocking them off. They can take a big step in the recovery process here.
AUBURN (+21/2) over Louisiana State: The Bayou Bengals needed a prayer to beat these guys last year . . at home. That group won the national title. This team isn’t as good . . . and is on the road.
OFF THE GRID
Akron (-10) over ARMY: If you can beat Syracuse by 14, you can beat Army by 11.
PURDUE (-101/2) over C. Michigan: The Boilers should have beaten Oregon. They’ll be out for blood.
TULSA (-101/2) over New Mexico: The Hurricane have beaten their opponents by an average of 38.
Last week: 8-5-1 Overall, 1-2 Best Bets, 0-1-1 Off The Grid.Season: 23-20-1, 3-6, 1-2-1.
tsullivan@nypost.com