College football

Scouting reports

By Times staff writers
Published September 24, 2005

NO. 5 FLORIDA AT KENTUCKY, 3:30

If ever there was a time for the Gators to pad numbers and work out problems, this is it. Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) has the nation's second-best defense (199 yards per game) and faces the No. 102 offense. The Gators will be without injured defensive end Ray McDonald for the first time and will see how well others step up. As for its offense, Florida is still finding its way, particularly on the line, which has had a negative effect on the running game. Again, Kentucky (1-2, 0-0) could be the cure. The Wildcats are last in the SEC in rushing defense, and Gator coach Urban Meyer promised he would go back to the basics with the line. And while Florida is without two starters, McDonald and receiver Andre Caldwell, it pales in comparison with the Wildcats' woes. Fifteen Wildcats have had surgery since fall practice began, including six starters. Before the season, coach Rich Brooks was rumored to be on the hot seat, and the Wildcats' 1-2 start and double-digit loss to Indiana last week aren't helping. The players have heard the rumblings but say they have to keep focused on the task at hand. National rankings and numbers aside, the Gators know from last year's loss at Mississippi State (which entered 1-5) that taking any opponent, even one unranked and struggling, could be a big mistake. "Will we lose focus for Kentucky?" Meyer said. "No chance."

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

NO. 9 LOUISVILLE AT USF, 6:45

USF (2-1) never has beaten a team ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, the closest being against Bowling Green, No. 25 in the coaches' poll in November 2002. Louisville (2-0) has 23 players from Florida, including defensive end Elvis Dumervil (Miami), linebacker Abe Brown (Sarasota) and running back Kolby Smith (Tallahassee). The Cardinals do not have a player from Hillsborough or Pinellas county but had coaches all over the state recruiting on Friday night. Today is a showdown of two of the Big East's best running backs. USF's Andre Hall leads with 385 yards in three games while Louisville's Michael Bush is fourth with 185 in two. The Bulls will have to contain sophomore Brian Brohm, who is third in the nation in pass efficiency with 547 yards and five touchdowns. From the something-has-to-give department, the Cardinals have converted a league-best 52 percent of their third downs while USF has the nation's toughest third-down defense at 12 percent. The Bulls also are fifth in pass defense and eighth in total defense.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

NO. 12 MIAMI VS. COLORADO, NOON

After a tough 1-2 ACC road punch of Florida State and Clemson, the Hurricanes (1-1) finally get to play at home. They face a Buffaloes squad whose two victories have come against Colorado State and New Mexico State, who are a combined 0-5. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Wright has been erratic, completing 59 percent of his passes but taking 14 sacks. Look for Miami to try to establish the run after Tyrone Moss' career day last week (31 carries for 139 yards and three scores, including the winner). Moss has rushed for 100 yards in consecutive games, but Colorado allows only 1.8 yards per carry. The 'Canes will be without starting linebacker Tavares Gooden (left shoulder) for the second straight week. But defensive tackle Baraka Atkins returns after playing a limited role to Kareem Brown against Clemson.

- MICHAEL SNYDER, Times correspondent

MARSHALL AT UCF, 6

It's the home and Conference USA opener for the Golden Knights (0-2), who have lost 17 in a row. Like UCF, Marshall (1-1) is young, with only seven returning starters. It has a victory over I-AA William and Mary (36-24) and home loss to Kansas State (21-19). The Thundering Herd has been sparked by sophomore Ahmad Bradshaw, who is averaging 65 rushing and 53 receiving yards.

FLORIDA A&M VS. TENNESSEE STATE AT ATLANTA, 4

FAMU (1-2) is looking for its fourth victory over Tennessee State (1-2) in as many seasons. The Rattlers have a little momentum for the first time this year thanks to a 33-20 victory against Howard last week. Meanwhile, Tennessee State gave up 505 yards in its 42-20 loss to Tennessee-Martin a week ago. The Tigers were without senior starting quarterback Bryan Rosser, who might be out for the season with a foot injury.

B-CC AT NORFOLK STATE, 1

B-CC coach Alvin Wyatt said he was encouraged after his team's 27-24 loss to South Carolina State in Jacksonville last week. He had learned little about his team in victories over Elizabeth City (N.C.) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but the loss to the Bulldogs told him his Wildcats can compete with the best of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Norfolk State (0-2) is anything but that. The Spartans have not only lost their past seven games dating to October, but their past seven against B-CC.

FIU AT ARKANSAS STATE, 3:30

Sun Belt Conference play finally begins for FIU (0-2), which played at Kansas State and Texas Tech for its first two weeks as a full member of Division I-A. The Golden Panthers have had a week off to heal from (and get over) their 56-3 loss to Texas Tech. Arkansas State (1-2), which lost at Oklahoma State 20-10 last week, is led by senior running back Antonio Warren (127 yards a game and three touchdowns). FIU needs strong play from junior Josh Padrick, who has completed 57.6 percent of his passes and averages 163 yards.

- SHARON GINN, Times correspondent

[Last modified September 24, 2005, 01:00:22]