College football

Scouting report

By Times staff writers
Published November 12, 2005

No. 17 Florida State at Clemson, noon

The Seminoles (7-2, 5-2) lost last weekend, but backed into the Atlantic Division title and a berth in the inaugural ACC Championship Game on Dec. 3 when North Carolina beat Boston College. But the last thing they want to do is limp into that game and that's possible if they lose here and then at Florida on Nov. 26. Meanwhile, Clemson (5-4, 3-4) needs a win to become bowl-eligible and, after FSU, must play at intrastate rival South Carolina, coached by Steve Spurrier. How's that for tantalizing subplots for "Bowden Bowl VII," the matchup of father and son coaches, Bobby and Tommy Bowden? For the Seminoles to rebound, they need to demonstrate some effective offensive balance (they called three running plays in the second half last weekend), even though Clemson is 70th nationally defending the pass. Defensively, they need to stop allowing the big run, especially vital against Clemson's duo of James Davis and Reggie Merriweather. Tigers senior quarterback Charlie Whitehurst sat out last weekend with a shoulder injury and junior Will Proctor (Trinity Prep in Winter Park) made his first start and performed well. Against Duke. They split time in practice this week.

- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer

One-game season. That's the way Florida (7-2, 5-2) has approached today's game. A win and the Gators remain in the hunt for the SEC East. A loss and it's over. "It's a one-game season, that's all we're talking about around here," linebacker Brandon Siler said. "This is what we're playing for around here. This is our championship right now this week." The backdrop of a Steve Spurrier-Urban Meyer matchup aside, the game on the field could be much more competitive than it appeared when the season opened. Florida is without senior starting safety Vernell Brown, who broke a bone in his leg last weekend and starting receiver Dallas Baker (punctured lung/broken rib). Others injured and questionable: defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (lower back) and end Ray McDonald (knee ligaments), linebacker Earl Everett (thing), safety Jarvis Herring (thigh bruise) and running back DeShawn Wynn (shoulder). South Carolina (6-3, 4-3) has won four straight, including road wins over Tennessee and Arkansas. The Gamecocks have trailed or been tied in all four at halftime. "We're just a team sort of hanging on," Spurrier said. "We don't pretend to be a world-beater right now, but the guys play with a lot of effort and make plays here and there and have made enough to win four in a row somehow. So we've got two more and try to play better than the last game and see what happens."

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

With only games at Notre Dame and Louisville left on the schedule, today is Syracuse's best hope of avoiding the school's worst season since 1-8 in 1948. Syracuse (1-7, 0-5) has some intangibles going for it - homecoming, and the retirement of the No. 44 jersey worn by legends Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. The halftime ceremony can be seen live at suathletics.com. Syracuse ranks last in the Big East in scoring offense, total offense, rush offense, rush defense and time of possession. Running back Damien Rhodes is fifth in the league with 684 rushing yards, but his 4 yards per carry match the lowest among the league's top 10 rushers. One player to watch is defensive back Anthony Smith, who leads the Big East with five interceptions. USF's Andre Hall (766 yards, 11 TDs) needs 131 yards to break Rafael Williams' school career rushing record, and his next rushing touchdown will put him past Marquel Blackwell for that career record. Quarterback Pat Julmiste needs 137 yards to reach 1,000 for USF (4-3, 2-1). The first quarter will be key - it has been USF's best, with the Bulls outscoring opponents 58-27. Syracuse went three games without scoring a first-half point. One more stat: No Big East team gives up more sacks per game than Syracuse, so keep an eye on defensive end Terrence Royal and linebacker Stephen Nicholas for the Bulls. With a win, USF will surpass its victory total for last season, and the Bulls can win the league title and a BCS berth by winning their remaining four games.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

The Hurricanes (7-1, 4-1 ACC) are fresh off a 27-7 win at Virginia Tech that knocked the Hokies from the ranks of the unbeatens and put Miami in good shape to make a move in the BCS poll if one of the remaining unbeatens (USC, Texas, Alabama) falters. Miami is a big favorite, but Wake Forest (4-6, 3-4) has the ability to put a scare into the 'Canes if they are looking ahead. "We haven't won anything yet," coach Larry Coker said. Miami will be without playmakers Tyrone Moss, who was lost for the year last weekend, and return man Devin Hester (who should play next weekend). That will put the spotlight on backup TB Charlie Jones, who had strong effort coming in for the injured Moss against North Carolina. The Demon Deacons will find it tough to get Chris Barclay, the leading rusher in the ACC, or anyone else, free in the open against a Miami defense that again has quietly become the nation's top unit, allowing only 214.8 yards a game, which would be the best in school history and the best in the NCAA since the 1997 Michigan Wolverines. Miami is giving up only 10.4 points a game, second to Alabama in scoring defense.

- MICHAEL SNYDER, Times staff writer

UCF (6-3, 5-1) may be bowl-eligible and winner of six of its past seven, but the Golden Knights have a lot to accomplish in the next couple of weeks. If they win and C-USA foe Southern Miss loses one of its final three games, they're headed for the league title game and probably their first bowl appearance. UAB (4-4, 2-3) has C-USA's No. 1 passing attack, led by quarterback Darrell Hackney, who leads the league in pass efficiency and total offense. The Golden Knights will need pressure from senior defensive end Paul Carrington (the league's sack leader with six) and more steady play from junior quarterback Steven Moffett.

FAMU (5-4, 4-2) could have a fun couple of weeks trying to play spoiler, first against Division I-AA No. 2 Hampton and next weekend against archrival Bethune-Cookman. The Pirates (9-0, 7-0) are headed to the playoffs, having earned at least a share of the MEAC title. While this is a different FAMU team from the one that rolled to a five-game winning streak over Hampton - the last time these teams met was in 2003 - the Rattlers have improved offensively as the season has progressed. They'll need a big game from senior running back Rashard Pompey, who had a career-high 265 yards last weekend against North Carolina A&T.

B-CC (6-3, 3-3), officially out of the conference title race after last weekend's 24-10 loss to Hampton, may have a hard time staying focused. But Howard (4-5, 1-5) may not give the Wildcats enough trouble for it to matter. The Bison has scored only 32 points in its past four games, while B-CC has the MEAC's top-scoring offense (35.1 ppg). Wildcats quarterback Jimmie Russell is averaging 179.5 yards in total offense, second in the MEAC.

Two of the Sun Belt League's bigger disappointments meet at Dolphins Stadium in a game moved because FAU's stadium in Boca Raton was damaged by Hurricane Wilma. Not only has FAU (1-8, 1-4) struggled since moving up to I-A this season, the young Owls will be without senior quarterback Danny Embick, who broke the thumb on his throwing hand last weekend and is out for the season. Meanwhile, North Texas (2-6, 2-2), which entered the season with a 25-game Sun Belt winning streak, easily has the league's worst-ranked offense and defense.

It's been a good week at Florida International (2-5, 1-3), which must have benefited from having a week off because of Hurricane Wilma. The Golden Panthers were rested and ready for Sun Belt leader Louisiana-Monroe last weekend, as quarterback Josh Padrick (21 of 35, 235 yards) led them to their first Sun Belt victory, 31-29 on the road. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-5, 3-2) has I-A's No. 9-ranked rushing offense (238.4 yards/game).

- SHARON GINN, Times correspondent

[Last modified November 12, 2005, 00:55:15]