Colleges

UF keys to success

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

Percy Harvin vs. South Carolina's run defense

The Gamecocks are 104th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 206 yards per game and 542 to Arkansas last week. Until last week, that might not have meant much. But with Harvin's breakout game against Vanderbilt (113 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries), Florida has a running game - sort of. The Gators have nearly 200 rushing yards per game led by quarterback Tim Tebow's 66.4.

South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell vs. Florida's secondary

Yes, the Gators defense played much better against Vanderbilt, holding Earl Bennett, the SEC's all-time receiver, to five catches for 31 yards. But the secondary didn't become great in one week. South Carolina has played spin the wheel with its quarterbacks, Mitchell, today's starter, has thrown for 1,147 yards in six games (though with six touchdowns and six interceptions). Top receiver Kenny McKinley averages nearly 75 yards and has seven touchdowns.

Florida's receivers vs. South Carolina's secondary

Steve Spurrier is the king of the coaching chess match, so watch carefully as the SEC's No. 3 passing offense faces the nation's best passing defense (149 yards per game). Starting cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and starting safety Emanuel Cook were injured last week and didn't practice until Wednesday.Cook leads it with 76 tackles, 61 solo, while Munnerlyn has 47.

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 22:15:13]