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College football capsules

Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 13:24

Capsule previews for Thursday and Friday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.THURSDAY:NORTH CAROLINA (1-0) at RUTGERS (0-1), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.FAVORITE: Rutgers by 5-1/2.COACHES: Butch Davis (5-8 in second year at North Carolina) and Greg Schiano (38-47 in 8th year at Rutgers).FIRST GAME: North Carolina beat McNeese State, 35-27, on Aug. 30. Rutgers lost at home to Fresno State, 24-7, on Sept. 1.SERIES HISTORY: Rutgers leads, 3-0.LAST MEETING: Rutgers won, 21-16, in 2006.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2005, Tar Heels are 1-13 on road losing by average score of 35-16.GAME FACTS: If Tar Heels want to break through to a bowl game, this is the kind of win they need. Opener wasn't exactly encouraging as I-AA McNeese State rolled up 22 first downs, 391 total yards while also scoring on 70-yard punt return. Fortunately, UNC had one-man gang in senior WR Brandon Tate, whose 397 all-purpose yards included 82-yard punt return TD, 106 yards on ground on just three carries and catching 57-yard TD from QB T.J. Yates (15-of-26, 221 passing). Scarlet Knights squandered 22 first downs, 369 total yards in their opener due to string of miscues (2 missed FGs, failed fourth-and-goal at Fresno 3, int. in end zone, punt return for TD wiped out by penalty). Offense still looks good with QB Mike Teel (20-of-39, 263 passing, 2ints.) at helm looking for capable targets in WRs Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood (combined 12 catches for 166 yards in opener). In first start replacing departed star Ray Rice, RB Kordell Young picked up 94 yards on 26 carries. But despite 8 returning starters, defense got pushed around badly (gave up 422 total yards including 206 rushing). DT Peter Tverdov (7 tackles, 2 for loss, sack) was one of few bright spots.FRIDAY:No. 13 KANSAS (2-0) at No. 19 SOUTH FLORIDA (2-0), 8, ESPN2.FAVORITE: South Florida by 3.COACHES: Mark Mangino (39-36 in 7th year at Kansas) and Jim Leavitt (54-40 in 8th year at South Florida).LAST WEEK: Kansas beat Louisiana Tech, 29-0. South Florida won at Central Florida, 31-24, in overtime.SERIES HISTORY: Kansas leads, 1-0.LAST MEETING: Kansas won, 13-7, in 2006.STAT THAT MATTERS: Bulls have won three straight vs. ranked teams while Jayhawks are 2-10 vs. ranked opponents under Mangino.GAME FACTS: Rare and interesting Big 12-Big East clash. Jayhawks have hardly broken sweat hammering Florida International, La. Tech by combined 69-10 behind underrated QB Todd Reesing (69-of-90, 668 passing, 6 TDs, 1 int; 39 TDs, 8 ints. since start of last season, WR Dezmon Briscoe (16 catches, 4 TDs). Yet KU spread hasn't worked as well on road averaging 27 points per game away from home since start of last season compared to 46 ppg in Lawrence. They'll be challenged by Bulls defense that gave up only 113 yards in first three quarters last week, but then gave up that same amount in final period and OT before coming up with key stop. QB Matt Grothe (23-of-40, 346 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints.) was terrific most notably on 25-yard TD strike to Taurus Johnson (6 catches, career-high 143 yards) in OT that was difference. RB Mike Ford (ankle) is questionable with RB Moise Plancher (115 rushing, 6.8 per carry, 3 TDs) ready to make second career start if needed. USF kicking game was dreadful last week as K Delbert Alvarado missed 2 FGs, including potential game-winner on last play of regulation while Central Florida also ran a kickoff back for TD.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)