Can Treon Harris keep the Gators rolling?
The truth is that Florida was going to be an underdog against LSU in the best of circumstances. That’s okay, because the Gators were an underdog to Ole Miss and Missouri as well. But yeah, it hurts a team to lose its starting quarterback. Hey, Will Grier was starting for a reason.
But Coach Jim McElwain pointed out repeatedly that Harris was close in the competition. It isn’t like the team goes from a 10-win team to a 2-win team with him under center. He doesn’t throw as pretty a ball, but he can do some things on the move. Again, a Saturday night in Death Valley may be too much for the Gators to contend with, but the sky is not falling. Florida should be able to get a split – and maybe better – in its remaining six games.
If Harris is hurt, however, all bets are off.
Can Louisville match the upset it pulled off in 2002 against FSU?
It’s doubtful. The FSU defense has been too solid this season to start leaking now. The Seminoles’ offense sputters and spews, but as long as running back Dalvin Cook can play (and he ran for 222 yards last week), FSU should be able to win at home. That upset in 2002, as memorable as it was, came in a driving rainstorm. Without the weather helping out the Cardinals, it’s hard to imagine Louisville hanging with FSU for four quarters.
Can Miami calm the chaos against Virginia Tech?
No, that won’t happen. Coach Al Golden will continue to be criticized by Hurricanes’ fans. Miami has been awful on third downs, and awful on the important downs. Against both Cincinnati and FSU, it had the ball with a chance to win, but could not pull the game out. Miami should win against Tech, but it won’t quiet the noise.
Has USF turned the corner in the Willie Taggart era?
That’s the hope. Taggart has been perpetually young since taking over USF, and maybe, just maybe, the Bulls are growing up with Marlon Mack, Quinton Flowers and the guys. A warning, however: UConn played very well against Central Florida, and the Huskies always seem like a chore of USF. If the Bulls let this one get away, they undo a lot of the momentum they built in their win over Syracuse.
Can things get any worse for UCF?
Well, maybe. Even after a winless season, there hasn’t been much in the way of a coaching controversy. Until now. An Orlando Sentinel columnist this week suggested that the Knights go after Steve Spurrier, who recently resigned his post at South Carolina. Yes, it would make UCF relevant for a while, but Spurrier is 70. If his age was a problem at South Carolina, wouldn’t it be one at Central? Still, Spurrier probably has loads of new material about USF (which would be the team he would poke fun at) he hasn’t broken out yet, so it might be a little more fun than watching George O’Leary’s team lose.
How many points can FIU score against Middle Tennessee?
Let’s see. FIU scored more than 50 in its win, and Middle Tennessee gave up more than 50 in its loss. That seems to leave the airways open for quarterback Alex McGough to claim. Of course, comparing scores almost never works. Still, if FIU wants to even entertain winning Conference USA, it needs to take control of this one early.
What’s the weather outlook for the FAU Owls?
With defending Conference USA champion Marshall coming to town, it seems there might be more relevant questions. But FAU was ahead of Rice by 12 when a lightning delay came and lost. It was playing Miami fairly close and lost. Evidently, this team has no defense to lightning. It remains to be seen if it has enough for Marshall, either.
Does the Florida defense have a chance against Leonard Fournette?
Well, if confidence is part of the deal, then the Gators are in good shape. This week, defensive lineman Jon Bullard suggested that Fournette was “nothing we can’t stop.” Of course, Fournette ran for 147 yards against the Gators last year, and the defense was pretty good. For Florida, the challenge will not be to smother Fournette completely, but to control him and limit his big runs. “This is probably his chance to get 300 yards,” Gators’ McElwain said.
Is Jimbo Fisher sincere in his praise of opposing Louisville?
He is. The Cardinals’ three losses this year have come by a combined 13 points, and Fisher points out that the Cardinals could just as easily be 5-0. Speedy quarterback Lamar Jackson will give the FSU defensive line a merry chase. For FSU, one of the keys will be the play of quarterback Everett Golson against a pretty good Cardinals’ defense. If he doesn’t play well, Louisville may hang around.
Can Miami’s defensive front generate pressure against Virginia Tech?
It’s about time it did. The Hurricanes are 93rd in sacks with seven against FBS competition. They’re 118th in tackles for loss against FBS teams. For a team that lives by the big play on offense, it hasn’t had nearly enough on defense.
