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Zook won't turn up hype meter

GAINESVILLE -- Though this week's game is against the No. 1 team in the nation, Florida coach Ron Zook is treating Miami in the same fashion he did when the Gators were preparing for Alabama-Birmingham.

It's just another game.

"Obviously it's a big game, but as we told (the team), before there have been a lot of big games at the University of Florida," Zook said. "This is exciting. I'm sure, just listening to what coach (Larry) Coker said, they feel the same way down there."

Coker said he thinks the renewed rivalry is good for college football.

"I think people like to see the best of the best play," Coker said. "Without question, from a college football standpoint I think it's outstanding."

Though the matchup is the renewal of a fierce instate rivalry, Zook has not treated it as such.

"I think it's something that probably all the people outside the actual programs that are making it bigger," he said. "But it's a big game, but it's also a game that's fun to play and people look forward to being in. These guys know each other and I think that's one of the things that makes it exciting."

PREPARING FOR THE D-LINE: The Gators will be facing one of the toughest defensive lines in the nation in Miami, but Zook said he was confident his offensive line could protect quarterback Rex Grossman.

Florida quarterbacks were sacked three times Saturday against UAB.

"They'll be a great test for our offensive line and I think it's a challenge that our offensive line is looking forward to," Zook said. "I think our offensive line has improved. It's come a long way, so it'll give us a feeling of exactly where we are at. I think the offensive line played extremely well Saturday."

-- JILL MARTIN

Darkness falls

TAMPA -- The lights weren't working at the South Florida practice field, and the encroaching darkness caused the Bulls to call it quits a few minutes early.

Coach Jim Leavitt said USF got in almost everything as it began preparation for Saturday's game against Northern Illinois.

"We missed three minutes," Leavitt said. "Everything else we got in."

The session reminded Leavitt of the early days at USF.

"We didn't have any lights our first year we practiced, so we can do it," he said.

KNOCK ON WOOD: The Bulls emerged from Thursday's 51-10 win over Florida Atlantic virtually unscathed. Nickel back Javan Camon bruised a shin late in the fourth quarter and is probable for Saturday. Offensive tackle Derrick Sarosi came out with a shoulder injury but returned.

QUESTIONABLE: Starting receiver Huey Whittaker missed the FAU game with a sprained knee but could play Saturday. He participated in some drills Monday.

"We won't know (if Whittaker will play) until we get closer," Leavitt said.

-- PETE YOUNG

UM moves up ticket sales

CORAL GABLES -- Because of high demand, 3,500 bleacher seats for the game against Florida State Oct. 12 at the Orange Bowl will go on sale today. The tickets, priced at $45, will be available beginning at 7 a.m. by calling (800) GO-Canes and at 9 a.m. at the Hecht Athletic Center ticket office.

FSU TB Jones honored

TALLAHASSEE -- FSU junior tailback Greg Jones, who rushed for a career-high 173 yards and scored two touchdowns against Virginia, was named Atlantic Coast Conference offensive back of the week.

-- BRIAN LANDMAN

A quality workout

ORLANDO -- The Golden Knights took advantage of a day away from classes and a fairly balmy afternoon to get ready for a weekend game at Arizona State.

The squad held a scaled-back practice in helmets and shoulder pads, working on individual instruction, team timing and the kicking game. With the heat likely to be a factor this weekend, coaches took advantage of the thick air to make sure the team ran throughout practice.

Offensive line coach Robert McFarland says the season opener at Penn State showed the line's conditioning to be a strength.

"A lot of guys did not feel like they had to take themselves out, which was good because we had some long drives," he said. "It was not real hot there and they had enough breaks with television timeouts and when the defense was on the field, so it worked out. You get game conditioned as the year goes on, so it was great to be able to get out there in the heat today."

NO TURNING POINT: Saturday's 27-24 loss to Penn State might have been a tight one, but coaches said it was tough to pick out a single play that made the difference.

"The players are no different than the coaches, you just get a sick feeling in your stomach about it," McFarland said. "Fortunately for us we have another game, so that is not the last thing you have to live with into the summer.

"We tried to put it behind us on Sunday and the guys came out today and worked hard and are more determined to walk away with a victory."

UP NEXT: McFarland said he is impressed with Arizona State's defense.

"Arizona State is a very athletic football team," he said. "It is hard to draw a comparison with Penn State because they are a big, strong, powerful team. Taking nothing away from Penn State, but they don't have the pure speed that Arizona State is going to present to us. They absolutely fly around to the football."

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