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Preview: Hawaii At No. 5 Florida

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

At Stake

It's all about image. Not only are the fifth-ranked Gators favored to win, they need to look like one of the country's best teams while doing it. Hawaii, meanwhile, earned positive national attention last year on the way to a Sugar Bowl appearance, and it does not want to see that progress wrecked.

Key Stat

Florida has won an SEC-best 18 straight season-opening games. It is 60-6 in openers in Gainesville, including 38-1 since 1949.

Keep An Eye On:

Florida - Every Florida fan wants a good look at freshman Jeffrey Demps. The 5-foot-8, 176-pounder from Okahumpka, who might be a sprinter on the 2012 U.S. Olympic track team, has earned good preseason reviews for his football instincts.

Hawaii - The Warriors' quarterback, whoever he might be. As if UH doesn't have a big enough problem replacing Colt Brennan - third in Heisman voting - Coach Greg McMackin says he will make a "game-time decision" on who takes the snaps against Florida. Presumed starter Brent Rausch, a sophomore JuCo transfer, suffered from a sore arm this week and could give way to junior Greg Alexander.

Key Matchups

When Florida has the ball - Hawaii's linebacking corps is the strength of the defense and will be the key to slowing the Gators' spread offense and its collection of speedy receivers. Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian are all-conference returnees with big-play ability.

When Hawaii has the ball - Gators cornerbacks Joe Haden and Wondy Pierre-Louis suffered from youth and inexperience last year, and Florida's pass defense was abysmal. Both players promise they have come a long way, and they should get a solid test from Hawaii's ball-control passing attack.

Injury Update

Florida - Wide receiver Percy Harvin (heel) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (ankle) will sit out.

Hawaii - Quarterback Brent Rausch (arm) is questionable.

PREDICTION

Florida 52, Hawaii 19

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