Hurricanes' depth can be deceiving
CORAL GABLES -- James Jackson knows the difficulty of running with the football, being chased by linemen and linebackers. It becomes even more difficult when you're chased off the field by teammates.

Capel wants to return
Former Florida receiver John Capel, who said after finishing last in the 200-meter final at the Olympics last week that he would not play football until he had won every 200 race until the next Olympics, has softened on that stance.

Football sites littered with trash talking
If one site was not completely surprised by Mississippi State's upset of then-No. 3 Florida last week, it would have to have been smootsmack.com, which is devoted to trash-talking Bulldogs defensive back Fred Smoot.

Two analysts break down FSU-Miami
There are a lot of Miami Hurricanes fans -- not to mention a few Gators fans -- hoping the potential absence of Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke on Saturday leads to UM beating the Seminoles for the first time since 1994.

Extra Points
Player spotlight/Scott McCready

Jim Leavitt Q & A
Q: Do you feel differently about this game than previous Division I-A games you've played?

USF goal: Make others eat crow
The Bulls want Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower, who had some disparaging remarks about USF last season, to see firsthand why they belong in Conference USA.

College football around the state
FSU still up in air over QB Weinke TALLAHASSEE -- Quarterback Chris Weinke moved around on his sprained left foot during a shortened practice Thursday. With his leg heavily taped, Weinke took snaps and worked out against a Miami scout team.

College football around the nation
Clemson sees no violations

Bucs
Don't overreact, Dungy tells squad
TAMPA -- Coach Tony Dungy is at his best when his team is playing its worst.

Lightning
More than a win at stake
Two points would be nice in the Lightning's opener, but a confidence kick-start would mean more in the long term.

Lecavalier in search of new agent
BRANDON -- A business decision.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
Tampa's Brandi advances

Motorsports
Autos roundup
Kenseth captures Busch pole

Nascar briefs
Earnhardt son Kerry crashes CONCORD, N.C. -- With a bang into the wall, hopes for a three-Earnhardt race ended Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Baseball
Mets lose lead, then win in 10
The Giants lost starting pitcher Shawn Estes in the third inning when he jammed his left ankle into second base trying to beat out a force play. Estes limped off the bag and was tagged out.

NL notebook
Braves aces continue to struggle

Shaken, rattled, rolled
That's the Yankees' prediction of the state of the young Athletics when they experience Yankee Stadium in October.

AL notebook
Tired A's arrive two hours late

Colleges
Phillips enjoying new post
Kelly Phillips readily admits she was apprehensive about taking over as coach of the men's and women's cross-country teams in August.

Former star to coach UT
TAMPA -- After losing a baseball coach to his home roots in August, the University of Tampa filled two positions this week, allowing a pair of coaches to return to their roots.

Preps
Prep football
Haines City (5-0, 2-0) at Armwood (5-0, 2-0)

Players of the week
Week 5

Tampa Bay top 10
The Times' rankings of the top football teams in Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Pinellas counties, with records and tonight's opponent:

Pinellas top 10
1. (2) Seminole (5-0) -- Warhawks pull one out in the second half for the second week in a row.

Unbeatens to face off in Independence Bowl
It's a midseason battle of unbeatens between two teams that have been destroying their opponents.

Hawks cleared of recruiting charge
A Florida High School Activities Association appeals board ruled Thursday that Armwood was innocent of recruiting charges surrounding the case of transfer student Keith Watts, who moved this year from King to Armwood.

Blue Jacket earns victory
ST. PETERSBURG -- John Biffar sensed he might be ready for a breakthrough, but he even surprised himself a bit.

It's showdown time in 3A-8
Unbeatens Armwood and Haines City decided last year's game on the last play.

Countryside must stop Land O'Lakes' Godfrey Pestana.
The defense allowed a 53-yard run on Land O'Lakes' first play from scrimmage. The offense threw an interception on its second play from scrimmage. The team committed 115 yards in penalties.