College football

Emotional dome battle may pose problems, coach says

By GREG AUMAN
Published November 7, 2005

TAMPA - The Bulls have faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, with seven opponents combining for a 43-19 record, but coach Jim Leavitt isn't taking Syracuse's 1-7 record lightly.

"It's going to be tough as heck. These guys have never played in a dang dome," Leavitt said after Saturday's 45-31 win at Rutgers. "We've got to play at their homecoming, Jim Brown getting his (jersey retired). We're going to have to play better than (Saturday) if we think we're going to have a chance to win."

Syracuse's win came against Buffalo (0-9), but the Orange opened the season by playing close with Big East leader West Virginia, losing 15-7. It has games left at Notre Dame and Louisville, so USF likely represents its last chance at a victory.

The Carrier Dome will be USF's second FieldTurf venue in a row, and Leavitt said his team encountered few problems with the playing surface at Rutgers. The turf might have factored into low-trajectory kicks that resulted in a blocked extra point and field goal in the second half.

"I never thought how it would affect a kicker, but it could, his foot plant and all that stuff," Leavitt said.

THIS AND THAT: USF is up to 28th in USA Today analyst Jeff Sagarin 's computer ratings. Syracuse is 119th in the same rankings. ... After forcing six turnovers and committing none Saturday, USF is tied for 15th nationally in turnover margin at plus-1 per game.

[Last modified November 7, 2005, 01:10:19]