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Come on, Bulls, feel the noise

TAMPA - In the past, Jim Leavitt has piped in crowd noise during practice to prepare his team for a hostile atmosphere on the road. Gearing up for a crowd of 109,000 at Penn State on Saturday, the USF coach is trying the opposite.

"We may just practice in silence," Leavitt said Monday after a 2-hour, 45-minute practice. "It's what (former Bucs coach Tony ) Dungy used to do. The quarterback, everything on offense, it's just (signals). We've done that a little bit already."

Saturday's opener might be one of the top three crowds to see a Big East team play. Syracuse holds the record, 111,012 at Michigan in September 1998. Miami played before 109,313 at Penn State in 2001.

JENKINS TO START: Sophomore Mike Jenkins moved ahead of senior D'Juan Brown , the team's most experienced defensive back, and is expected to start at cornerback Saturday.

"Mike's just playing good ball, and D'Juan's got a few nicks and bruises," co-defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz said. "Mike's been there the whole time, so he's earned that spot."

Jenkins, who has practiced 11 days with a cast on his right hand because of a finger injury, started three games as a freshman and will line up opposite sophomore Trae Williams of Durant. Brown has been limited in practice by an injury to his left knee or hamstring but will play Saturday, Kravitz said.

The school's weekly release includes "probable starters" for Saturday's game, with sophomores Jerome Springfield and Walter Walker listed at left and right tackle, respectively. Sophomore receiver Amarri Jackson is listed as starting ahead of sophomore Johnny Peyton at receiver.

THIS AND THAT: Linebacker Josh Balloon , on crutches with a boot on his ankle after an injury Thursday, was back in full pads, hopeful of returning Saturday. "He's a very motivated individual and he doesn't want to miss this game," Leavitt said. ... Leavitt's weekly TV show, which will air on Ch.28 at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, starts this week. His weekly radio show makes its debut at 8 p.m. Sunday on 620-AM. ... Three scholarship transfers, receivers Amp Hill and Ryan Gilliam and defensive end Maurice Charles , have not yet been accepted into school. ... The Bulls are preparing for everything: With receiver Travis Lipp ineligible, Leavitt gave extra special-teams work to quarterback Anthony Severino , now the backup holder on kicks.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

GAINESVILLE - There's a chance three quarterbacks will play in Saturday's opener against Wyoming.

Urban Meyer said sophomore Chris Leak will start but the Gators coach might use Gavin Dickey and Josh Portis .

Dickey has been practicing quite a bit at receiver, but Meyer said the junior is "potentially" the backup, as is the freshman Portis.

"They are ahead of Cornelius ( Ingram ), but Cornelius excites you sometimes, so there's a chance you'll see Gavin, Josh and Chris Leak take a snap Saturday," Meyer said. "It's still (four) days away, but we won't announce a backup just because there's no reason to. I don't know who he is yet."

Meyer said whether Portis gets into the game will depend on how he responds to the pressure of standing in front of more than 80,000 at Florida Field.

STILL SEARCHING: With Eric Wilbur recovering from surgery, the punting job remains up in the air, with Wilbur and senior Nick Fleming vying for it. "(Eric's) close (to 100 percent), but he's not punting like a big-league punter right now," Meyer said of the sophomore. Kickoff duties will fall to either Fleming, Wilbur or freshman Jonathan Phillips , the touted recruit out of Wellington. Sophomore Chris Hetland and junior Eric Nappy are the leading candidates for placekicking duties.

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

CORAL GABLES - Miami took advantage of some extra time and moved practice to the evening at the Greentree Practice Fields to escape the heat and the possibility of rain.

"The guys moved around pretty well and I was pleased," coach Larry Coker said.

UM had a closed practice Sunday at the Orange Bowl. On Saturday, it had a mock game, running through situations that included preparation for safeties and onside kicks.