The Seminoles were No. 5 and had a realistic shot at the ACC title and, at least, a Bowl Championship Series invitation as one of two at-large teams until last weekend's loss at Maryland. Now, a BCS at-large is out and their only hope for a league championship - and the automatic BCS berth that goes with it - depends on winning out and winning a tiebreaker. If that doesn't sound like much to play for, think again. "Now," coach Bobby Bowden said, "you find out what kind of guys you recruited. Now it gets down to pride. It gets down to personal pride. Do you still want to be the best you can be?" Bowden sure wants his team to be its best, which is why he said he made some key personnel moves, including quarterback Chris Rix taking over for Wyatt Sexton. Bowden hopes Rix's mobility can jump-start an offense that has struggled on the road the past two weeks, an offense that will be without star tailback Leon Washington (right shoulder separation) and receiver Craphonso Thorpe (academic reasons). "He gets them out of situations," Duke coach Ted Roof said of Rix. "He can make what looks to be maybe a negative play into a huge positive and turn those things into big plays for him and his football team." Rix said he and teammates want to make a "statement." If not now, when? Though the Blue Devils have forced 20 turnovers, tied for first in the ACC, they're allowing 432.6 yards (100th nationally), most of which has been on the ground (279.1 yards).
- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer
FLORIDA AT VANDERBILT, 2
Traditionally, the Gators have had their share of "close" games at Vanderbilt. Two years ago, the Gators escaped Nashville with a 21-17 win. It's homecoming for the Commodores and the way this season has gone for the Gators, all indications are that today may be one of those games. Both teams will be missing key players. Florida linebacker Channing Crowder is out with sprained ligaments in his foot and running back DeShawn Wynn is out with a groin injury. Linebacker Travis Harris (ankle sprain) will be a game-time decision. For Vanderbilt (2-6, 1-4 SEC), offensive linemen Nigel Seaman is questionable, while Brian Kovolisky and Justin Geisinger are expected to play but are nursing injuries. Quarterback Jay Cutler was injured in the third quarter of last weekend's game against LSU but is expected to play. Against LSU, he surpassed 6,000 passing yards, moving him into fourth on Vanderbilt's all-time list for total offense and fourth for passing yards. Tampa native and tailback/kick returner Kwane Doster suffered a concussion last weekend but is expected to play. This is usually a must-win game for the Gators because they don't want to lose to an inferior team. This year, it's much more. At 4-4, 2-4 in the SEC, Florida needs two wins in its final three games to become bowl eligible. "We're going to do the job we are supposed to do," coach Ron Zook said. "These guys aren't going to quit. They will give us all they've got. If you look at this game over the years, it's always been a concern."
- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer
NO. 11 MIAMI VS. CLEMSON, 7:45
The Hurricanes return to the Orange Bowl still in shock after their 10-game winning streak and perfect record came to an end last week at North Carolina. The loss likely ended UM's chances of playing for the national championship, but an ACC title and BCS berth are still within reach. Miami's once-vaunted defense has been giving up huge chunks of yardage (545 against the Tar Heels), and it has become apparent the loss of talent to the NFL has caught up. In the past three games Miami allowed 1,492 yards and 100 points. The running game also has stalled after losing offensive linemen Eric Winston and Tyler McMeans to season-ending injuries, failing to surpass 100 yards in last weekend's 31-28 loss. "We've got to be much more physical up front," coach Larry Coker said. Right tackle Chris Myers was more blunt, saying the offensive line cost UM the game. "If we rushed the ball for another 40, 50 yards, the game is over," Myers said. "They don't have the time to go downfield and score that last field goal." While the offensive front will not see any changes, Coker plans to shake things up defensively. DE Baraka Atkins is moving inside to left tackle opposite Orien Harris after Kareem Brown had a tough game in his first start. Bryan Pata will take over Atkins' old spot with Thomas Carroll lining up at right end. Roger McIntosh will move from strongside linebacker to the middle to replace the inconsistent Leon Williams, and Jon Beason has been promoted from second team and will start in McIntosh's old spot. Also, Devin Hester will see action as the fifth defensive back. Clemson is on a three-game winning streak after a 1-4 start. Junior quarterback Charlie Whitehurst leads the Clemson attack, averaging 192.6 yards passing, and his favorite target is Airese Currie, who leads the ACC with 47 receptions. Clemson ranks 10th in the conference in total offense and eighth in total defense. Coker said all is not lost, even if his defense appears to be. "The only thing that matters is us. We can win out and go to a BCS, but we're not going anywhere if we don't get better. That's what we talked about as a football staff and football team."
- MICHAEL SNYDER, Times correspondent
OHIO AT UCF, 4
In hopes of injecting some fresh energy into his winless (0-8, 0-5 MAC) squad, UCF coach George O'Leary has benched quarterback Steven Moffett and replaced him with freshman Kyle Israel. Meantime, senior running back Alex Haynes needs 126 yards to become the Golden Knights' career rushing leader. But it won't be easy to get them against Ohio (3-6, 1-5). The Bobcats held him to minus-8 last season, the worst game of his career.
B-CC AT HAMPTON, 2
This is the biggest game of the year for B-CC (5-2, 4-1 MEAC). A victory over Division I-AA No. 14 Hampton (7-1, 4-1) would move the Wildcats a step closer to at least a share of the MEAC title. If injured quarterback Jarod Rucker (ankle) still is unavailable, B-CC will need a big game from Jimmie Russell, who stepped in against North Carolina A&T last week and was 11-of-14 for 167 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-17 victory.
FAU AT TROY, 3:30
This is another chance for FAU (6-1) to measure itself against a future Sun Belt League opponent. The Owls have only played once at home, but they don't mind: All six victories have come on the road. Troy, relatively new to I-A, will be a good test for FAU. The Trojans (4-4) have struggled with the pass lately, but have won two straight thanks to an ability to force 11 turnovers in those games.
