In games like this, Clark Atlanta against Morehouse at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morehouse's B.T. Harvey Stadium, the records never really matter.

Clark Atlanta versus Morehouse is the battle of Atlanta University Center neighbors, barely a sidewalk apart in some places.  Students who attend some classes together on the other's campus who are friends any other time are on opposite sides Saturday.

It's what Clark Atlanta University football coach Kevin Ramsey calls "The Backyard Brawl."

"It's a deal of not having to leave with having that bitterness in your mouth or throat, the kind that carries on longer if you lose to someone who isn't miles and miles away," Ramsey said. "These are the same guys you see in the grocery store, in WalMart, walking on campus.  It's important for our kids, just the bragging rights in getting this one."

Last year, CAU won the game 37-36 in dramatic flair after being down 29-7 midway through the third quarter.  On the strength of four Johnathon McCrary touchdown passes over the next quarter-and-a-half, the Panthers outscored Morehouse 30-7, winning the game on a Carlos Saldana field goal as time ran out.

This season, both teams had high expectations, but Morehouse comes into the game 3-6 while CAU is looking to finish the season with a .500 mark of 5-5 with a win.

Morehouse lost to Fort Valley State 52-7 last weekend, but has sported one of the higher-ranked defenses in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference most of the season.  They are ranked second in total defense as Kenneth Hagins and David Smith are two of the top six tacklers in the conference.

"Those guys do a good job of flying around," Ramsey said. "If you look at their scheme, they play as a defensive unit.  We've got to have our "A" game to be able to combat what they have. "

But Morehouse will be battling against the top-ranked offense in the SIAC.  McCrary is the top-ranked passer in the conference and leads the SIAC in total offense.  His top receivers, Deandre Jackson and Johnathan Sanders, are ranked second and third in receptions in the SIAC.

Another important aspect of this game – it's the final time that CAU's seniors will take the field as Panthers.

"This is it," Ramsey said.  "I'm just so proud of this bunch who really had a significant impact on this program.  What they represented in the locker and on campus, it's been tremendous.  We've got a lot to build on from their leadership."

Ramsey said his Panthers are all set for this edition of "The Backyard Brawl."

"This is one of those where you get the captains to led and speak on it," he said.  "The senior group of ours, we allowed them to speak on it during the week. This is one of those where a lot of alums will back.  We've got to play our best game because they are a good ball club. They've got weapons.

"You look at our game a year ago, which was a heck of a ball game," Ramsey said.  "It came down to us kicking an onside kick and recovering it and subsequently going down field and kicking the winning the field goal in the closing seconds.  So, we've got to be in tune in all three phases – offensively, defensively and on special teams.   The Backyard Brawl. We've got to bring our "A" game and have fun doing it."