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Blink And You Might Miss It In UM-UF Matchup

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By MICK ELLIOTT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

Updated: 09/06/2008 12:34 am

GAINESVILLE - What better way for the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes to renew their dormant rivalry than by returning to the football field at full speed, racing head-on with a running start?

On your mark, get set, collide.

When the Gators and Hurricanes kick off tonight at 8 in The Swamp, a sellout crowd and national television audience would be well-served to avoid any unnecessary blinks, or risk missing an athletic move so amazing it might not come along again for at least several minutes.

"It's going to be a great matchup, speed-wise," UM receiver Leonard Hankerson said. "That's what this game is. It's a matchup of speed."

The richness of football talent produced by the Sunshine State is far from a secret, but the first meeting between the rivals since the 2004 Peach Bowl promises to be a strong reminder of the depth that powers both programs.

While the fifth-ranked Gators arrive as a 21-point favorite against a youthful UM squad - more than half of the players are freshmen or sophomores - there might not be much separation between the teams when judged by speed and athleticism.

That is saying a lot, considering Florida might be the fastest team in America that doesn't carry a relay baton. Beginning with world-class freshman sprinter Jeffrey Demps and followed closely by Chris Rainey, the Gators have at least eight players who consistently post 4.3 times in the 40-yard dash. And after last week's blitzing of Hawaii, when Brandon James returned a punt 74 yards for a score, wideout Louis Murphy pulled in a 48-yard TD and Demps and Rainey busted big touchdown runs, the team's biggest playmaker, wideout Percy Harvin, is expected to return to action after having heel surgery this spring.

What's a defense to do?

"It's going to be difficult," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "We have to keep them inside, pressing them not to use their speed so much, because they are fast."

Or there's always Harvin's suggestion.

"I'm calling timeout if I'm a coach," the Gators playmaker said when asked what a team should do if it sees him, Rainey and Demps on the field at the same time. "I guess you just take your best shot and hope that the play was designed to go to the one you double-teamed."

However, the Hurricanes are the Hurricanes, and that means they will not back down.

"He's just like any other dude," UM senior cornerback Bruce Johnson, the team's best cover man and one of its fastest players, said of Harvin. "Yeah, of course, he has speed and quickness, but I've played against a lot of other guys that have speed and quickness."

Florida coach Urban Meyer acknowledges the Hurricanes' collection of athletes.

"I consider them the most talented team in college football," he said. "When you just watch speed and watch guys run, and watch the size and athletics, there's not a team we'll play that's better."

Likewise, there probably will not be another opponent whose starting quarterback faces the challenge of making his first college appearance in the hostile surroundings of The Swamp and on ESPN.

But that's what former Plant High quarterback Robert Marve will be doing.

Florida, in political-season form, downplays that factor.

"Would you rather face a quarterback with no starts or one with 40?" said Gators defensive coach Dan McCarney. "Of course you'd rather go against one with less experience. But the problem is all those guys in front of him. It's one thing to say you want to go get him and rattle him, but he has veterans in front of him.

"They have got size, height, girth and long arms. We have got to be the most physical defensive line that we've had at Florida in a long time."

Miami at Florida

At Stake

Not as much for UM as for Florida. An upset loss at home by the Gators would wreck their big plans. The Hurricanes, in the second year of rebuilding under Coach Randy Shannon, can weather a respectable loss and still enjoy a banner year by putting themselves in the ACC title race. All the same, expect the game to be an emotional explosion, the result of the familiarity of the players with each other and the Hurricanes' six-game win streak against Florida.

Key Matchup

When Miami has the ball, the battle of the big men will go a long way toward deciding the winner. The UM line handling the UF defensive front is key. By establishing a running game, the Canes can take a lot of pressure off freshman QB Robert Marve, making his first start. Take away the run, and Florida puts Marve in unmanageable position.

Key An Eye On

Miami - Junior running back Javarris James. As a freshman in 2006, James rushed for 802 yards, second-most for a Miami true freshman behind only Clinton Portis (838 yards). James had 582 rushing yards in an injury-plagued sophomore year. He had 73 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries last week against Charleston Southern.

Florida - Running back and special-teams whiz Brandon James. Not only did the little man bust a 74-yard return last week, he was the first defender down the field to make the tackle on a 60-yard punt.

Injury Update

Miami - Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Maurice Hurt (shoulder) is out.

Florida - All hands are reportedly on deck.

Key Stat

0: College game appearances by Miami starting quarterback Robert Marve.

PREDICTION

Florida 35, Miami 10

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tampatrib.com.

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