College football

Scouting reports

By Times staff writers
Published October 29, 2005

No. 16 Florida vs. No. 4 Georgia, 3:30

What a difference a week makes. With a bye last week, Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) got an opportunity to get ailing players such as receiver Jemalle Cornelius and defensive end Ray McDonald rest and healing time. Georgia (7-0, 5-0) has been hit with critical injuries. Starting quarterback D.J. Shockley is out with a knee injury, nose tackle Dale Dixson is questionable, defensive tackle Kedric Golston is doubtful and linebacker Brandon Miller's status is up in the air. The Bulldogs will lock up the SEC East title with a victory. Florida has lost two of its past three and will play for the first time since a four-point loss at LSU. With its offense ineffective, the staff and team worked extensively on changes to help boost the offense. Both coaches believe field position will be decisive. The two are tied for second in the league with average field position on the 34. The Gators' defense has been their most effective weapon, ranked No. 5 in the nation in total defense (271.86). Florida is hoping to capitalize on the inexperience of Bulldogs backup quarterback Joe Tereshinski, making his first start. But with a squad of 18 seniors, coach Mark Richt believes the Bulldogs have enough leadership to overcome the adversity: "We're not a one-man show, I promise you."

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

To a man, the Seminoles can agree that the nadir of last season came on Oct. 30 at Maryland. They were No. 5 in the AP poll, 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the ACC with a legitimate shot to win the league and a Bowl Championship Series berth. The Terrapins had lost three straight and looked bad doing it, scoring just 17 in the losses. But quarterback Joel Statham had a career-day throwing for 333 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a score as the Terps hung on for a 20-17 win. A year later, the Seminoles (6-1, 4-1) can take a big step toward winning the Atlantic Division and a spot in the inaugural ACC title game. Think the Terps (4-2, 2-1) will slip up on them again? Well, unlike last year, their offense is doing much better, a 28-9 loss on Oct. 20 to Virginia Tech notwithstanding. Quarterback Sam Hollenbach is completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,671 yards and eight touchdowns and, while not speedy or elusive a la Virginia's Marques Hagans, can run the option. That dual threat makes Ralph Friedgen's offense go. Hollenbach injured his left (not throwing) shoulder last week, which has forced FSU to prepare for both him and Statham.

- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer

The 'Canes (5-1, 2-1 ACC) return to action after Hurricane Wilma postponed last week's game against Georgia Tech. The game has been moved up from the original 3:30 p.m. kickoff time because the lightstands at the Orange Bowl were damaged in the storm and likely won't be repaired until after the season. All homecoming activities for the week have been canceled. Many players and coaches still don't have electricity at their homes, so it's hard to say how much the storm will factor into UM's play. Quarterback Kyle Wright has used the extra time off to heal his sprained right thumb. "These last couple of days off helped a lot," Wright said. "I feel fine. I'm zipping the ball like I want to. It was kind of hurting my ego not being able to throw the balls I normally throw, but I'm back (to normal)." WR Darnell Jenkins (ankle), CB Randy Phillips (knee) and OT Cyrim Wimbs (ankle) also used the time off to heal and should all play against UNC (3-3, 2-2). There's also the revenge factor as UM was upset 31-28 last season by the Tar Heels. UNC had a smaller upset over No. 23 Virginia last week but gave up the most points in its history two weeks ago, falling to Louisville 69-14. Kicker Connor Barth, who hit the 42-yard game-winning field goal against Miami last year, is just 3-of-11 this year.

- MICHAEL SNYDER, Times correspondent

After an 0-2 start, UCF (4-3) has won four of five and is tied with Southern Miss for the lead in Conference USA's East Division at 3-1. The two schools have not played since 1996, with East Carolina (3-4, 2-2 C-USA) leading the series 4-0. The Pirates' run defense is ranked last in the conference, giving up an average of 225 rushing yards a game, which gives UCF an advantage. Not only has freshman Kevin Smith rushed for 100 or more yards in three of the past four games, but last week in a 34-24 victory over Tulane, junior tailback Jason Peters added 110.

With Josh Driscoll (groin) and Chris Owens (concussion) questionable for today's game, No. 3 quarterback Albert Chester could get his second start of the season. Expect the Rattlers (3-4) to rely heavily on running back Rashard Pompey, who had a career-high 181 yards in last week's 31-17 victory over Norfolk State. Morgan State (2-6) has given up big plays repeatedly this season, so the Rattlers likely will try to get the ball downfield to Roosevelt Kiser, who is leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in receptions. FAMU leads the series 16-3.

Bethune-Cookman (5-2) takes the top-scoring offense in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (36.0 ppg) into its matchup with the Aggies (3-5), who have lost two straight, most recently 16-0 to Howard last week. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Jimmie Russell, who may not be the most fearsome passer - B-CC is last in the MEAC in passing yards - but is third in the league in total offense (181 yards/game) and has scored eight touchdowns. Russell and several other teammates who had minor injuries have had a bye week off to heal.

- SHARON GINN, Times staff writer

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]