UAB @ Florida preview
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
THE STORY: First-year Florida coach Will Muschamp comes from a defensive background, but it is his changes on the other side of the ball that could help the Gators bounce back from a sub-par 2010 campaign. Buoyed by a revamped offense, No. 18 Florida hopes to gain some momentum with a second straight win over an inferior opponent. Alabama-Birmingham returns 16 starters from a team that finished 4-8 in Conference USA. Florida cruised to a 51-3 victory in the last meeting in 2002. The Gators are 56-4 in non-conference home games since 1990 and 93-4 against unranked teams in “The Swamp” in that span.
TV: ESPN3.com, FS Florida, FS South. LINE: Florida -23.5
ABOUT FLORIDA (1-0): Charlie Weiss’ pro-style offense is clearly a better fit for John Brantley. The fifth-year senior completed 21-of-30 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions (one was tipped) in a 41-3 rout of Florida International. Florida racked up 468 yards - a vast improvement over the sloppy 2010 opener against Miami (Ohio) that was a precursor to a disappointing 7-5 season.
ABOUT UAB (2010: 4-8, 3-5 Conference USA): The Blazers were picked to finish next-to-last in the conference. Coach Neil Callaway hired former Clemson and Memphis coach Tommy West to fix a defense that allowed 31 points per game in 2010. Senior Bryan Ellis (2,940 yards, 25 TDs, 12 interceptions) is back to lead a potent offense. Running back Pat Shed set a school record with 2,125 yards total yards last season and finished third in the nation in that category (177 yards per game).
EXTRA POINTS
1. Gators running back Chris Rainey became only the third player since 1996 to score a touchdown three ways (rushing, receiving, kick return) last week.
2. Florida sophomore defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd hasn't been cleared yet after being ruled ineligible prior to the season opener. No reason has been given.
3. The Blazers will be without All-Conference USA defensive tackle Elliott Henigan (undisclosed injury).
PREDICTION: Florida 47, UAB 17 - Brantley should put up some big numbers against an already suspect defense now missing its best player.