By now, you know how this works.
The USF Bulls will spend the first quarter driving head coach Charlie Strong crazy. Quarterback Quinton Flowers will be wild-high in the second quarter. The running backs will sputter some in the third.
And then you'll glance at the scoreboard, and you'll wonder where those 48 points came from.
That's the thing about the Bulls. Even on those days when they aren't as impressive as on other days, they seem to have too many weapons for the opposition. That's why they have the second-longest winning streak in the country. That's why they've scored 30 points straight in more games than any team since the 1910-11 Oregon Ducks. That's why they're in the top 10 in rushing and rushing defense.
And, yeah, that's why they'll roll on Saturday.
Look, this isn't the Cincinnati team that it used to be. The Bearcats are only 2-4, and they've given up 131 points and more than 1,500 yards in their last three games. It's not likely that they have an upset in them.
The Bulls should play another “name that score” game. They should run like a stampede. Flowers should put together a highlight reel.
Prediction: USF 52, Cincinnati 13
Ready for this? FSU, highly regarded about 15 minutes ago, is now (according to Anderson-Hester), the 50th best team in America. Which means Duke, which has never beaten FSU, is coming at the right time.
The Seminoles need to forget about how the season ends and simply get better. They've lost to three good teams with freshman quarterback James Blackman, but they've been unable to finish.
Prediction: FSU 24, Duke 13
Meanwhile, the Florida Gators never gave themselves much of a chance last week against LSU. This week, against Texas A&M, the prediction is in the playbook. Does Jim McElwain allow quarterback Feleipe Franks to throw the ball, or does he continue to try to run over people.
The Gators have won three close games – against Tennessee, against Kentucky and against Vanderbilt. Now they have A&M, which just gave Alabama a fight.
Florida is hard to play at home. They'd be harder if they show a little offense.
Prediction: Texas A&M 24, Florida 17
Miami Hurricanes' coach Mark Richt has it going on, and the Hurricanes have it coming back. I don't think there s much that Georgia Tech can do about either.
Prediction: Miami 28, Georgia Tech 26.
The Pros
Bucs at Arizona
If you remember the licking that the Cardinals put on the Bucs a year ago, it's hard to go with Tampa Bay in this one. But if Winston protects the ball and plays patiently, Tampa Bay can get over the hump.
How about Tampa Bay by a field goal?
Prediction: Tampa Bay 24, Arizona 21.
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