ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Demetrius Byrd doesn't really remember where he was. He just remembers hearing that Appalachian State was about to beat Michigan and pull off one of the biggest upsets in college football history.

	Doug Benc/Getty Images
	Demetrius Byrd doesn't see Appalachian State repeating last season's success in the season opener.

"I went to find a TV so I could watch the end of it," Byrd said.

LSU had played on Thursday night to open the 2007 season, so the players were free that Saturday.

"I didn't know anything about Appalachian State, couldn't have even told you where they were located or what state they were in," Byrd said. "I was going around saying, 'Who the heck are these guys?'

"But I know now."

All of college football does, and Byrd said the Tigers have no interest in making this Saturday's game in Tiger Stadium any more historic than it already is.

It's the first-ever meeting between football's defending national champions. LSU won the Bowl Championship Series title last season, and Appalachian State brought the Football Championship Subdivision title (formerly Division I-AA) back to the North Carolina mountains for the third straight year.

Byrd still couldn't pinpoint Boone, N.C., on a map, and he couldn't tell you much about the snow skiing or the hiking in that area.

What he can tell you is that there's about as much chance that Appalachian State will catch LSU napping for this game as there is Mike the Tiger calling some of the plays from his cage.

No disrespect to the Mountaineers, but Byrd said this game is all about LSU.

"We know they're a good team, and we know they beat Michigan last year in a big stadium," Byrd said. "But we're not Michigan. We're LSU, and we're going to play LSU football. When we play LSU football, it doesn't really matter who we play or where we play."

LSU coach Les Miles, although he has great respect for Appalachian State, would tend to agree.

"It's all about what we're going to do and the disposition of the opponent is one thing, but it's our disposition that we worry about. It's our approach," Miles said. "Frankly, if we're ready to come out and play and do the things we come to do, we'll determine how that game goes irrespective of how our opponent comes to play. It's more important how we come to play."

Byrd, who led LSU with seven touchdown catches last season, has heard how vulnerable the Tigers supposedly are at quarterback. And it's true they'll have a first-year starter whether it's Andrew Hatch, Jarrett Lee or Jordan Jefferson.

"I know people have been looking at that, but it's not a problem for us or our main receivers," Byrd said. "We're getting geared up to play with all three if we have to. When I was in junior college, I went through four in one season. We've all got our timing down, and we've got enough good players around those guys that they don't have to feel like they need to be heroes every game."

Byrd's hesitant to compare this team to the national championship team, because every team is different in terms of chemistry, leadership and work ethic.

That said, he'd be disappointed if the Tigers didn't repeat.

"I'd say we're equal to what we were last year, plus one," said Byrd, who made his share of big plays a year ago for the Tigers in a season filled with big plays. "I can't wait to get it on and go to battle with my team. We've strengthened our minds and our bodies, and we're ready to play LSU football."

And for the record, just what exactly constitutes LSU football?

"To finish every game. Don't leave nothing undone. Go out with a purpose every time you step on the field. Play smart football and get down with it," Byrd said.

"We're ready to open up some you know what."

Wonder if Michigan felt the same way this time last year.

Sit back and enjoy. It ought to be one of the more intriguing games of college football's opening weekend.